Summary: Two conditions must be met to have an eclipse: 1. It must be a full moon (for a lunar eclipse) or a new moon (for a solar eclipse).
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets between Earth (opens in new tab) and the sun, and the moon casts a shadow over Earth. A solar eclipse can only take place at the phase of new moon, when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth and its shadows fall upon Earth's surface.
What conditions must exist for a solar eclipse to occur? The phase of the Moon must be new and the Moon must be passing through Earth's orbital plane.
A lunar eclipse can occur only at full moon. A total lunar eclipse can happen only when the sun, Earth and moon are perfectly lined up — anything less than perfection creates a partial lunar eclipse or no eclipse at all.
What are conditions necessary for a total solar eclipse? Moon in perigee orbit; Moon moves a direct line between Sun and Earth; Moon in New moon phase. You just studied 4 terms!
Annular solar eclipses can only take place when: It is New Moon. At the same time, the Moon is at (or very near) a lunar node, so the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun are aligned in a straight (or nearly straight) line.
An eclipse season is one of only two (or occasionally three) periods during each year when eclipses can occur due to the Moon crossing the ecliptic shortly before or after new or full moon. Each season lasts about 35 days and repeats just short of six months later, thus two full eclipse seasons always occur each year.
new moon phaseSolar eclipses happen only at the new moon phase, when the Moon is between Earth and the Sun. During a solar eclipse, the Moon casts a shadow on Earth, and blocks or partially blocks our view of the Sun.