Home Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture Money Videos
eclipse
Table of Contents
References & Edit History Related Topics
Images & Videos
total solar eclipse April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse
Solar and lunar eclipses, explained
Understand the spatial relationships between the Sun, the Moon, and Earth during eclipses
geometry of a lunar eclipse lunar eclipse solar eclipse
Learn why there is not a solar eclipse every month
Learn five facts about the astronomical phenomenon that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth
illustration depicting the successive phases of a solar eclipse
For Students
eclipse summary
Quizzes
Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.
All About Astronomy
Read Next
Arrangement of the phases of the moon in total eclipse with Blood Moon
9 Celestial Omens
Solar eclipse of the sun.
The Sun Was Eaten: 6 Ways Cultures Have Explained Eclipses
Solar Eclipse, Eclipse, Solar Flare, Outer Space, Astronomy
What Causes Lunar and Solar Eclipses?
Albert Einstein in Washington, D.C. c. 1921-1923. Physicist
The Solar Eclipse That Made Albert Einstein a Science Celebrity
solar eclipse, sun, moon, astronomy, space
How Do You Tell the Difference Between Total, Annular, Solar, and Lunar Eclipses?
Discover
Person paying with a credit card using a credit card terminal. Cashless payment, credit card reader
What Is a Cashless Society and How Does It Work?
Solar eclipse of the sun.
The Sun Was Eaten: 6 Ways Cultures Have Explained Eclipses
solar eclipse, sun, moon, astronomy, space
How Do You Tell the Difference Between Total, Annular, Solar, and Lunar Eclipses?
The Battle of New Orleans, by E. Percy Moran, c. 1910. Andrew Jackson, War of 1812.
26 Decade-Defining Events in U.S. History
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Italian Renaissance painter from Florence. Engraving by Cosomo Colombini (d. 1812) after a Leonardo self portrait. Ca. 1500.
10 Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci
A Factory Interior, watercolor, pen and gray ink, graphite, and white goache on wove paper by unknown artist, c. 1871-91; in the Yale Center for British Art. Industrial Revolution England
Inventors and Inventions of the Industrial Revolution
An ancient egyptian hieroglyphic painted carving showing the falcon headed god Horus seated on a throne and holding a golden fly whisk. Before him are the Pharoah Seti and the goddess Isis. Interior wall of the temple to Osiris at Abydos, Egypt.
11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses
astronomy
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/science/eclipse
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/science/eclipse
Fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: • Article History
total solar eclipse
total solar eclipse
See all media
Category: Science & Tech
Key People:
al-Kāshī
Anaxagoras
Georg von Peuerbach
Related Topics:
transit
2024 Solar Eclipse FAQ
How to Watch an Eclipse Safely
Eclipses in 2024, 2025, and 2026
occultation
See all related content →

Recent News

Apr. 9, 2024, 9:39 AM ET (AP)
Total solar eclipse wows North America. Clouds part just in time for most
Apr. 8, 2024, 4:40 PM ET (AP)
The Latest | Total solar eclipse races across North America
Apr. 7, 2024, 1:18 PM ET (AP)
First an earthquake, now an eclipse. Yankees to play ball on same day as another natural phenomenon
Apr. 6, 2024, 5:39 PM ET (AP)
Eclipse weather forecast: clear skies in the Northeast, clouds in Texas
Apr. 5, 2024, 4:18 PM ET (AP)
Emergency operations plan ensures 'a great day' for Monday's eclipse, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says

eclipse, in astronomy, complete or partial obscuring of a celestial body by another. An eclipse occurs when three celestial objects become aligned. From the perspective of a person on Earth, the Sun is eclipsed when the Moon comes between it and Earth, and the Moon is eclipsed when it moves into the shadow of Earth cast by the Sun. Eclipses of natural satellites (moons) or of spacecraft orbiting or flying past a planet occur as the bodies move into the planet’s shadow. The two component stars of an eclipsing binary star move around each other in such a way that ...(100 of 14359 words)

Access the full article
Help support true facts by becoming a member.