Question map
During solar eclipse
Explanation
A solar eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth [2]. During this alignment, which only happens during the new moon phase, the Moon obstructs the Sun's light from reaching certain parts of the Earth [5]. Because the Moon's orbit is tilted by approximately 5 degrees relative to the Earth's orbital plane (the ecliptic), an eclipse does not occur every month; it only happens when the Moon crosses the ecliptic plane at specific points called nodes [4]. When perfectly aligned, the Moon casts a shadow on the Earth's surface, known as the umbra or penumbra, leading to a total, partial, or annular eclipse depending on the Moon's distance and position [3]. In contrast, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon [5].
Sources
- [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 19: The Motions of The Earth and Their Effects > 19.3. Eclipse > p. 257
- [2] Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 12: Earth, Moon, and the Sun > 12.3.1 Solar eclipse > p. 180
- [5] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Keeping Time with the Skies > A step further > p. 177
- [4] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 19: The Motions of The Earth and Their Effects > Why not every full moon day a lunar eclipse? Why not every new moon day a solar eclipse? > p. 265
- [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 19: The Motions of The Earth and Their Effects > Total Solar Eclipse (Umbra) > p. 261