1. NEW MOON - 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.

2. alignment produces a total solar eclipse, a partial solar eclipse or an annular solar eclipse depends on several factors,

3. PENUMBRA - PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSES occur when the part of the penumbra and part of the umbra of the moon's shadow passes over a region on the Earth's surface. To an observer, the moon only partially blocks the sun.

4. UMBRAL SHADOW - The Moon's umbral shadow is at most 267 km across on the Earth

5. Totality may last as long as 7 minutes 31 seconds, though most total eclipses are usually much shorter.

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