Eclipse Calculator
Upcoming solar and lunar eclipses with local visibility.
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Upcoming Eclipses
Showing next 15 eclipses · Catalog covers 2024–2040 · Times in your browser timezone
How It Works
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth's surface. Because the Moon's orbit is slightly tilted (5.1°) relative to the ecliptic, eclipses only happen when a new moon occurs near a lunar node — the point where the Moon's orbit crosses the ecliptic plane.
Solar eclipse types depend on the Moon's distance from Earth. When the Moon is near perigee (closest approach), its apparent diameter exceeds the Sun's and produces a total eclipse. Near apogee, the Moon appears smaller, leaving a ring of sunlight visible — an annular eclipse. A hybrid eclipse transitions between total and annular along its path.
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth's shadow falls on the full moon. The shadow has two zones: the penumbra (partial shadow, where Earth blocks only part of the Sun) and the umbra (full shadow). A total lunar eclipse (blood moon) happens when the Moon passes completely through the umbra. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are visible from the entire night side of Earth simultaneously.
Eclipses recur in cycles called the Saros (≈ 18 years 11 days). After one Saros, the Sun, Earth, and Moon return to nearly the same relative geometry, producing a nearly identical eclipse — but shifted about 120° west in longitude, because 18 years 11 days is not an exact number of Earth rotations.
Safe viewing: Never look directly at the Sun during a partial or annular solar eclipse without certified solar eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2). The only safe time to view a solar eclipse with the naked eye is during the brief period of totality in a total eclipse. Lunar eclipses are completely safe to observe without any eye protection.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How often do solar eclipses occur?
About 2–5 solar eclipses occur each year somewhere on Earth. Total solar eclipses at any given location are rare — on average, a specific spot on Earth's surface experiences a total solar eclipse only once every 375 years. Partial and annular eclipses are more common.
What is the difference between a total, annular, and partial solar eclipse?
Total: Moon completely covers the Sun — daytime darkness, corona visible. Annular: Moon is farther from Earth (near apogee), appears smaller, leaves a ring ("annulus") of sunlight. Partial: Moon only partially covers the Sun — no totality, safer to observe but less dramatic.
Is it safe to look at a solar eclipse?
Never look directly at the Sun during a partial or annular eclipse without ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses. Regular sunglasses are not safe. The only safe time for naked-eye viewing is during the brief totality phase of a total eclipse, when the Sun's disk is completely covered.
What is the Saros cycle?
The Saros is an 18-year 11-day cycle after which eclipses repeat with nearly identical geometry. After one Saros, the Sun, Earth, and Moon return to approximately the same relative positions, producing a similar eclipse — but shifted ~120° west in longitude due to the non-integer number of Earth rotations.