How often do total solar eclipses occur?

Total solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, blocking all or a portion of the Sun's light. They are relatively rare events that occur about once every 18 months, although they can be seen from only a small portion of the Earth's surface each time.

The reason for this infrequency is because the Moon's orbit around the Earth is tilted by about 5 degrees relative to the Earth's orbit around the Sun. This means that the Moon's shadow usually misses the Earth. Additionally, even when the Moon's shadow does fall on the Earth, it is usually only a partial eclipse rather than a total eclipse.

When a total solar eclipse does occur, it is a breathtaking sight to behold. The sky darkens, the temperature drops, and the Sun's outer atmosphere, or corona, becomes visible. It is important to remember that looking directly at the Sun, even during an eclipse, can cause permanent eye damage.