Eclipses: a shadow alignment
An eclipse requires suitable alignment near where the Moon’s orbital plane crosses Earth’s orbital plane. Most new and full Moons pass above or below the required alignment.
The shadow caster differs in solar and lunar eclipses. This library teaches geometry with indoor lamps and diagrams; it is not a solar-viewing guide. Ordinary sunglasses do not make direct Sun viewing safe.
Wonder about this
What is in the middle during a lunar eclipse?
A science clue
Earth is between the Sun and Moon, and its shadow reaches the Moon.