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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/astro-solar-eclipse-new-moon

Why does a solar eclipse not happen at every new Moon?

The Moon's orbit is tilted, so its shadow usually misses Earth.

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  1. The Moon is too small to cover the Sun
  2. Earth blocks the Moon's shadow
  3. The Moon usually passes above or below the Sun ✔

Why: Solar eclipses require new Moon plus alignment near a node of the Moon's tilted orbit. At most new Moons, the Moon appears slightly north or south of the Sun.

Huh, didn't know that: The Moon's orbit is inclined by about 5 degrees to Earth's orbital plane.

The dad joke
Most new Moons miss the eclipse because alignment has strict attendance rules.
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References

Answer: The Moon usually passes above or below the Sun. Solar eclipses require new Moon plus alignment near a node of the Moon's tilted orbit. At most new Moons, the Moon appears slightly north or south of the Sun.

  1. Eclipses and the Moon science.nasa.gov/moon/eclipses
    This tilt is the reason why we have occasional eclipses instead of eclipses every month.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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