About Eclipses
Solar eclipses happen when the Moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun, while lunar eclipses occur when the Earth gets between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow. This calculator tracks all the eclipses for a chosen year and automatically adjusts the precise timings to your local timezone. Types of Eclipses • Solar Eclipses: In a total eclipse, the Sun is completely blocked by the Moon. A partial eclipse means only a portion is covered. An annular eclipse happens when the Moon is a bit further away from Earth, leaving a brilliant "ring of fire" visible around the edges. • Lunar Eclipses: Penumbral eclipses are very subtle as the Moon just passes through Earth's lighter outer shadow. Partial eclipses are much more noticeable since a piece of the Moon enters the dark central shadow. Total eclipses happen when the entire Moon is covered in the dark shadow, often turning a striking red color. Understanding the Details • Visibility: We check the exact geometry, sunrise, sunset, and moon phases to tell you if you can actually see the eclipse from your current city. • Timings: All times are localized to your area. Just keep in mind that local weather or buildings might still block your view! • Religious Context: Different traditions have unique rules for observing eclipses. For example, penumbral lunar eclipses are usually not considered significant for rituals, while solar eclipses often have specific rules depending on if they start before sunrise or end after sunset. We include specific notes for each eclipse to help guide you on these traditions. • Phases: We also provide the precise astronomical contact times when the eclipse begins, peaks, and ends. • Animations: We provide astronomically accurate animations that simulate the shadow motion tailored to your precise geographic location and timezone.