Solar Eclipses

On Aug. 21, 2017 a total solar eclipse crossed the United States from Oregon to South Carolina. Check out our main eclipse page for everything you need know about that total solar eclipse, and check back here to see all our latest updates and coverage of solar eclipses in general.

Related Topics: Moon Phases, The Moon, Solar Flares and Space Weather

Latest Updates

A photograph of a solar eclipse

The moon blocks the sun in a rare hybrid solar eclipse today

By Robert Lea published

A rare hybrid eclipse sweeps across the surface of Earth on April 20, appearing as a total eclipse, annular eclipse or transitioning between both, depending on one's vantage point.

a photograph of a total solar eclipse

April 20 hybrid solar eclipse: An observer's guide

By Joe Rao published

On April 20, a hybrid solar eclipse will be visible from parts of Indonesia, East Timor, and Australia. Here's everything you need to know about this rare celestial spectacle.

Sequence of total solar eclipse shows the sun disappearing behind the advancing moon and then remerging again.

A rare hybrid solar eclipse occurs today. Here's how to watch it online for free.

By Brett Tingley last updated

A rare hybrid solar eclipse occurs on April 20. Here's how to watch it online thanks to free livestreams.

Photographer Nafe Alamri took this photo of the hybrid eclipse of Nov. 3, 2013, taken from Al Qunfudhah, Saudi Arabia, at 5:29 pm local time.

Get ready for a rare hybrid solar eclipse on April 20

By Robert Lea published

A hybrid eclipse, which shifts between total and annular, is exceedingly rare, occurring only a few times per century.

Sequence of total solar eclipse shows the sun disappearing behind the advancing moon and then remerging again.

The Great American Solar Eclipse of 2024 is 1 year away! Where is the best place to see it?

By Joe Rao published

On April 8, 2024, a total eclipse will sweep across much of North America. Here we take a look at the weather prospects for the Great American Solar Eclipse.

the annular eclipse will be visible from Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. The image at dawn shows the sun rising off the ride side of the image, bathing the impressive rock structures in the canyon in a golden red light.

'Ring of fire' from US national parks: 7 great places to see the annular solar eclipse 2023

By Jamie Carter published

The annular solar eclipse 2023 will be visible in over a dozen U.S. national parks. Here are the best scenic spots to catch the spectacular 'ring of fire'.

Solar eclipse photographed in Chon Buri, Thailand. The red hue image shows a distinct 'ring of fire' glowing in the sky, slightly obscured by a cloud.

Annular solar eclipse 2023: Everything you need to know about North America's 'ring of fire' eclipse

By Jamie Carter last updated

Reference The annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023, will be visible from eight states in the U.S. Southwest. Find out how and where to see the 'ring of fire' eclipse in our ultimate guide.

This map shows the paths of the annular "ring of fire" solar eclipse of Oct. 14, 2023 and the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse.

This epic NASA map shows where to see US solar eclipses in 2023 and 2024 (photos)

By Robert Lea last updated

A NASA eclipse map shows where and when the annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023, and the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, will be visible.

An illustration of a total solar eclipse.

A total solar eclipse and a 'ring of fire' make 2023 special for eclipse-chasers

By Jamie Carter published

2023 will have two very special solar eclipses. While the first solar eclipse is incredibly rare, the second is easily accessible to millions of North Americans.

Jay Pasachoff views an annular solar eclipse in 2016. (Pasachoff is wearing solar viewing glasses, not regular sunglasses).

Astronomer and solar eclipse expert Jay Pasachoff dies at age 79

By Robert Lea published

Jay Pasachoff perhaps witnessed more solar eclipses than anyone else. But his greatest contribution to science may have been his public outreach and inspiration of future generations of scientists.

Find out when the next solar eclipse will occur with our solar eclipses 2023 guide. You'll be able to plan your next sun-viewing venture and perhaps even catch an image like this. Here a series of "snapshots" shows the sun becoming increasingly obscured by the moon until the ring of fire forms around the moon during the annular solar eclipse.

Solar eclipses 2023: When is the next solar eclipse?

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Reference Our solar eclipses 2023 guide will help you plan how to see the next solar eclipse.

Partially eclipsed sun shines next to the Taj Mahal.

The last solar eclipse of 2022 in pictures: Incredible photos from around the world

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

The partial solar eclipse on Oct. 25 delighted skywatchers around the world with a stunning display. We have rounded up some of the best photos here.

The sun appears to have a "bite" take out of it during the partial solar eclipse.

The last solar eclipse of 2022 thrills skywatchers around the world

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

The final solar eclipse of 2022 has put on quite the show for skywatchers around the world. See the first eclipse photos and social media reactions here.

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured a solar eclipse on June 29, 2022.

The last solar eclipse of 2022 is on Oct. 25. Here's what to expect.

By Joe Rao last updated

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, the new moon will orbit between the sun and the Earth, causing a partial eclipse of the sun to take place.

While skywatchers in parts of the world watched the moon take a bite out of the sun during a partial solar eclipse on Aug. 11, 2018, a European satellite got to witness the eclipse twice. The European Space Agency's sun-observing satellite Proba-2 orbits the Earth about 14.5 times a day, which allowed it to pass through the moon's shadow twice.

Solar eclipse of October 2022: When, where and how to see it on Oct. 25

By Tariq Malik published

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, the moon will pass in front of the sun in the last solar eclipse of 2022. Here's everything you need to know.

Series of images showing the sun during a partial solar eclipse.

When is October's partial solar eclipse and who can see it?

By Robert Lea published

At the end of October and before Halloween the moon will pass between the Earth and the sun creating a partial solar eclipse, making the sun appear like a massive bite has been taken from it.

dark circle backlit by edge of sun

Ancient solar eclipse records reveal how Earth's rotation has changed

By Robert Lea published

Newly discovered records of solar eclipses seen in the Eastern Mediterranean reveal how Earth's motion has evolved.

The Allen Telescope Array detected signal from Voyager 1

Alien-hunting array catches Voyager 1 signal from interstellar space

By Tereza Pultarova last updated

The Allen Telescope Array in California detected signal from the Voyager 1 probe, a NASA satellite launched 45 year ago that is currently speeding toward the outer edges of the solar system.

the sun appears as a dark spot with bright white light beaming out from behind. A series of phases surround the main eclipse image, showing the moon take a progressively bigger "bite" out of the sun.

What is a solar eclipse?

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Reference A solar eclipse occurs when the moon positions itself between Earth and the sun, casting a shadow over Earth. We explore the type of solar eclipses here.

moon passing in front of sun

NASA sun mission spots stunning solar eclipse in space

By Elizabeth Howell published

A sungazing spacecraft captured the moon passing in front of the face of the sun Wednesday (June 29).