Solar eclipse
The Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, hiding all or part of the solar disk for observers on Earth.
Educational guide
The different types of eclipses
Discover the 7 main types of eclipses — solar and lunar — with simple explanations, clear diagrams and safe-observation advice.
Sun – Moon – Earth alignment
Two main families of eclipses
It all starts with an alignment between the Sun, the Earth and the Moon.
Lunar eclipse
The Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon. The Moon then enters the shadow cast by the Earth.
Solar family
The 4 types of solar eclipses
Four different configurations depending on the Moon's apparent size and the alignment.
Total solar eclipse
The Moon completely blocks the Sun's disk. The sky darkens and the solar corona becomes visible.
Glasses required: Yes, except during the brief totality phase
Annular solar eclipse
The Moon passes in front of the Sun but appears slightly smaller, leaving a bright ring visible around it.
Glasses required: Yes, at all times
Partial solar eclipse
The Moon only covers part of the Sun, which then appears as a crescent.
Glasses required: Yes, at all times
Hybrid solar eclipse
Depending on the observation location, it can appear total or annular.
Glasses required: Yes, except during any locally observable totality
Important: during any partial or annular solar eclipse, it is never safe to look at the Sun without proper protection.
Lunar family
The 3 types of lunar eclipses
Lunar eclipses can be observed with the naked eye, without any protection.
Total lunar eclipse
The Moon enters fully into the Earth's shadow and may appear red-orange.
Glasses required: No
Partial lunar eclipse
Only part of the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow.
Glasses required: No
Penumbral eclipse
The Moon only crosses the Earth's penumbra, causing a slight and subtle darkening.
Glasses required: No
Calendar
Upcoming solar eclipses (2026 – 2035)
Your glasses stay useful for years to come: more than twenty solar eclipses are expected in the next decade.
| Date | Type | Visible regions | Max duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annular solar eclipse | Antarctica, southern Indian Ocean | 2 min 20 | |
| Total solar eclipse | Greenland, Iceland, Spain | 2 min 18 | |
| Annular solar eclipse | Argentina, Chile, Atlantic, West Africa | 7 min 51 | |
| Total solar eclipse | Morocco, Spain, Algeria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia | 6 min 23 | |
| Annular solar eclipse | Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Portugal, Spain | 10 min 27 | |
| Total solar eclipse | Australia, New Zealand | 5 min 10 | |
| Annular solar eclipse | Algeria, Tunisia, Greece, Turkey, Russia | 5 min 21 | |
| Total solar eclipse | Southern Africa, Indian Ocean, Australia | 3 min 44 | |
| Annular solar eclipse | Central Africa, India, Southeast Asia | 5 min 26 | |
| Hybrid solar eclipse | Central Pacific Ocean | 1 min 08 | |
| Total solar eclipse | Alaska, Arctic | 2 min 37 | |
| Total solar eclipse | West Africa, Egypt, Arabia, India, China | 4 min 09 | |
| Total solar eclipse | China, Korea, Japan | 2 min 54 |
Source: public astronomical forecasts. For any solar eclipse visible from your area, ISO 12312-2 certified glasses are essential.
Comparison table
The 7 types of eclipses at a glance.
| Eclipse type | Family | What you see | Glasses required? | Particularity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total solar | Solar | Sun's disk hidden, corona visible | Yes (except totality) | Daytime sky darkens |
| Annular solar | Solar | Bright ring around the Moon | Yes, at all times | Moon too far to cover the whole Sun |
| Partial solar | Solar | Crescent-shaped Sun | Yes, at all times | Imperfect alignment |
| Hybrid solar | Solar | Total or annular depending on location | Yes (except local totality) | Very rare |
| Total lunar | Lunar | Red-orange Moon | No | Nickname: Blood Moon |
| Partial lunar | Lunar | Part of the Moon in shadow | No | Dark edge sweeps across the Moon |
| Penumbral | Lunar | Slight darkening | No | Very subtle, sometimes imperceptible |