1. Orbital Alignment & Shadow Cone Optics
Solar Alignment (New Moon)
Sunlight Source (Parallel Ray Vector) →
Scale schematized for ray optics clarity
2. View from Earth's Surface
Total Solar Eclipse
3. Geometric & Optical Parameters
In Full Umbra
Apparent Sun Diameter:
0.533° (32.0′)
Apparent Moon Diameter:
0.552° (33.1′)
Magnitude (Size Ratio):
1.036 (Total)
Orbital Plane Node Separation:
0.00° (Syzygy)
Earth-Moon Distance:
363,300 km (Perigee)
Umbra Cone Reach:
Touches Earth Surface
Why doesn't an eclipse happen every month?
The Moon orbits Earth once every 27.3 days, passing between the Earth and Sun at every New Moon. However, its orbit is tilted by 5.14° relative to Earth's orbital plane (the ecliptic). In most months, the Moon's shadow passes either safely above or below the Earth. An eclipse can only occur when a New or Full Moon coincides exactly with one of the two orbital intersections called Nodes.
Umbra: Total blackout
Penumbra: Partial light
Antumbra: Ring (Annular)