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What causes an eclipse?

  

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth and blocks the bright light of the Sun’s surface from view. The shadow of the Moon will fall in a small path on Earth’s surface, called the zone of totality.

When is the next total solar eclipse?

It depends on where in the world you are!

The next total solar eclipse will be on August 12, 2026 and visible in the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, and Spain.

The next total solar eclipse to pass over part of the United States will be March 30, 2033, passing over Russia and Alaska.

If you're in the contiguous United States, the 2040s will be your decade.
There will be an eclipse on August 23, 2044 that passes over a small section of the United States. 
On August 12, 2045 a total solar eclipse will pass from California to Florida. 

Did you know? Total solar eclipses are not the only type of eclipse.

Annular Eclipse

An annular eclipse happens when the Moon, while far away from the Earth in its rotation, passes between the Sun and the Earth. Because the Moon is so far away from the Earth, it appears smaller and does not block all of the Sun’s light. 

Partial Eclipse

A partial solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth but the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not lined up perfectly. Only part of the Sun is covered, giving it a crescent shape.

Hybrid Eclipse

A hybrid eclipse happens when an eclipse changes from an annular eclipse to a total eclipse, and back again. 

Solar eclipses are not the only type of eclipses. 

Lunar eclipses happen when the Earth is positioned between the Moon and Sun, Earth’s shadow falls upon the surface of the Moon, dimming it and sometimes causing the lunar surface to appear red over. Lunar eclipses only occur during a full moon. 

More About the Science of Eclipses

Eclipse

Limited Number of Solar Eclipses

Did you know that one day there will not be any more solar eclipses?

Crescent projections show through a grid created by hands during a solar eclipse.

How Projections Work

Did you see crescent shapes on the ground during the eclipse? Here's why!

Eclipses in History

George Henry Peters, astronomer, U.S. Naval Observatory, on board the dirigible USS Los Angeles. (Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 90-105, Science Service Records, Image No. SIA2017-003781.)

Watching the 1925 Eclipse from an Airship

"The sky at the horizon was a flood of merging orange and red light. Overhead the ceiling was blue-black, while all about was the darkness of twilight.”

A Solar Eclipse

How an 1142 Eclipse Helped Make History

In 1142 a total solar eclipse influenced the Seneca to join the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, a representative democracy that would govern six tribes below Lakes Erie and Ontario.

A black-and-white image of a total solar eclipse shows the sun's bright corona peaking out from the edges of the moon.

How an 585 BCE Eclipse Ended a War

On May 28, 585 BCE, the sounds of fighting slowly came to a halt as the sky darkened and day turned to night.

Readers of all ages may enjoy this list of recommended reading related to the eclipse.

Activities for Young Learners

A sheet with hole-punches in the Smithsonian logo creates art with crescent projections on a sheet of paper.

Solar Eclipse Art

Ages 4 and up
You can make unique art with interesting patterns of holes for the sun to shine through.

Drawing of cards, a pencil, a light bulb and a flashlight. It depicts a craft activity where holes are poked into cards and then a flashlight is lit over the cards to create patterns with the light. Drawing has the title "Light Patterns" in yellow block letters with designs on the letters.

Make a Pinhole Projector

Ages 4 and up
Make fun pinhole projectors using old greeting cards or recycled pictures. 

A young visitor uses an eclipse viewer they made from eclipse glasses and a paper plate to safely view an annular eclipse. They squint up in concentration.

Make a Solar Eclipse Viewer Mask

Ages 4 and up
Create a mask that will allow little ones a more comfortable way to view the sun through eclipse glasses since a lot of times they are too big for little heads!

A woman holds up three shadow puppets.

Make Shadow Puppets

Ages 4 and up
An eclipse happens when the Moon gets in the way of the Sun's light, which makes a shadow on the Earth. You can play with shadows.

A tall man astronaut with a basketball and a shorter woman astronaut with a tennis ball.

Sportsball Earth and Moon Model

Ages 8 and up
This model will help you picture just how big and far apart the Earth and Moon are.

A woman safely stares at the Sun using eclipse glasses at the National Air and Space Museum.

Multisensory Eclipse Observations

Ages 8 and up
Use several of your senses to experience a solar eclipse.
Must be done during a solar eclipse

A hula hoop with a ping pong ball on it is held around a globe.

How Often Can Eclipses Happen?

Ages 10 and up
Eclipses happen a few times per year, but only when the moon is in the right place to line up with the sun and Earth. Try this demonstration to find out when that happens!

A hand hold a yard stick with a green orb on the end.

Yardstick Eclipse Model

Ages 10 and up
For an eclipse to happen, the Sun, Moon, and Earth have to line up just right! Give it a try using materials you can find around your home.

Educational Videos

Videos for Early Childhood Learners

Story Time for Young Learners

The Eclipse

In this original story from the National Air and Space Museum, three friends get ready to watch a solar eclipse. They make eclipse viewers and learn about what an eclipse means. They think about how it is possible that something like the Moon can block something bigger, like the Sun, from our view. Then they experience the wonder of the eclipse together.

Videos for Middle School Learners and Up

Explore the Solar Eclipse with STEM in 30

In this episode we’ll help you decide what the best techniques are for viewing a solar eclipse, cover the importance of eye safety, and share the science behind an eclipse. We’ll also discuss our own special star, the one that allows for life as we know on this planet — our Sun.

Teacher Tips for this Episode
Graphic that reads "Solar Eclipse Playlist"

Short Videos for Students

Check out short videos about solar eclipses that you can incorporate into your lesson plans.

A photo of an eclipse of the sun, with looks like a black circle surrounded by a fiery halo.

Seven Facts about Solar Eclipses

Find out fun facts about what causes a solar eclipse, what happens during an eclipse, and more.

A shining halo appears around where the Sun would be in this photo of a solar eclipse.

Live from the Path of Totality in 2017

How do you safely view a solar eclipse? 

You should get safe solar viewers, or follow one of the alternative methods below for safely viewing the effects of the eclipse. 

Staring at the Sun is dangerous for your eyes and cause permanent damage. 

Where do I find eclipse glasses or safe solar viewers?

Giveaways in Your Community

Organizations in your community may be giving away glasses.

Check out local libraries, museums, and more. 

Do You Already Have Eclipse Glasses?

Use eclipse glasses you already have if they are not damaged.

NASA has guidelines to check if your eclipse glasses are in good working condition. 

Order Online

You can buy safe solar viewers online.

Please be careful to buy a reputable pair. Organizations like the American Astronomical Society provide lists of reputable companies to buy from.

 

Select Welding Glasses

Welding glasses with Shade 14 green filters in good condition are safe to use. 

How to Use Eclipse Glasses
  • Place the eclipse glasses over your eyes before looking toward the Sun, then look away from the Sun before removing the glasses.
  • You will not be able to see anything except the Sun through the eclipse glasses; they are not the same as regular sunglasses.
  • Eclipse glasses are only designed to be used over your eyes; do not combine them with a camera, binoculars, or telescope of any kind.
     

Ways to Safely View an Eclipse Without Eclipse Glasses

If you don't have eclipse glasses, here are safe ways to experience an eclipse. 

Remember never to look directly at the Sun. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my sunglasses instead of eclipse glasses? 
No. Looking through sunglasses will not protect your eyes and you could still sustain permanent damage. 

Can I look at the eclipse through my camera or phone?
No. Your eyes could still be damaged by looking at the sun through a camera’s viewfinder. 

How do I know if my eclipse glasses are still good? 
Inspect your glasses for damage. This NASA video shows you what to check for. Also check the information printed on the glasses. 

What if I’m in the path of totality at the moment of totality?
This is the only time you can look at the eclipse without glasses. If you’re in the path of totality at the moment of totality the Sun will be completely blocked by the Moon. Because all of the Sun’s light, you can view the eclipse without glasses. However, as soon as the Sun begins to reappear, you’ll need your glasses again.

A young visitor at the Udvar-Hazy Center observes the solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 with safe eclipse glasses.

A young visitor at the Udvar-Hazy Center observes the solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 with safe eclipse glasses.

Why can't I look directly at a solar eclipse?

The Sun is extremely bright—it’s about 3,820,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 times brighter than a 100 Watt lightbulb. The rays from the Sun can be very damaging to human eyes—permanently burning cells on your retina, a part of your eye. 

More Tips for Viewing an Eclipse

Man looks up to the sky. Next to him is a large telescope.

Advice from an Eclipse Chaser

A partial eclipse.

Appreciating a Partial Eclipse