Which statement best describes a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon gets between Earth and the Sun, and the Moon casts a shadow over Earth. 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. There are four types of solar eclipses, but whether the alignment produces a total eclipse, a partial eclipse, an annular solar eclipse, or hybrid eclipse depends on several factors.

Total eclipses are rare because the timing of the new moon within the eclipse season needs to be more exact for an alignment between the observer (on Earth) and the centers of the Sun and Moon. In addition, the elliptical orbit of the Moon often takes it far enough away from Earth that its apparent size is not large enough to block the Sun entirely. Total solar eclipses are rare at any particular location because totality exists only along a narrow path on the Earth's surface traced by the Moon's full shadow or umbra.

The fact that an eclipse can occur at all is a fluke of celestial mechanics and time. Since the Moon formed about 4.5 billion years ago, it has been gradually moving away from Earth (by about 1.6 inches, or 4 centimeters per year).

Currently, the next solar eclipse will be an annular solar eclipse on June 10, 2021. A portion of northern Greenland, parts of nearby Baffin Bay, eastern Hudson Bay and northeastern Russia will sit in its path. This eclipse will peak at 6:41 a.m. EDT (1041 GMT).