Solar Eclipse Lab

Time & Speed
1x
0°
Orbit Geometry
5.1°
0°
Distance & Guides
384,400 km
No eclipse
— Mag: 0.00
Kid-friendly facts
  • A solar eclipse happens when the Moon blocks the Sun for people on Earth.
  • The Moon’s orbit is tilted (~5°), so eclipses don’t happen every month.
  • Total eclipse = Moon looks a bit bigger than the Sun. Annular = a bright “ring” stays.

Try it: set Moon tilt near 0° and make Node angle 0°. Press Play to line things up!