images

Solar eclipse. Diagram.

by

F.Espenak/Novapix

Reference

a-sol10-99002

Date

2006-11-13

When the Moon's dark umbral shadow sweeps across Earth's surface, then a total eclipse of the Sun is seen. The track of the Moon's shadow across Earth's surface is called the Path of Totality. It is typically 10,000 miles long but only 100 miles or so wide. In order to see the Sun totally eclipsed by the Moon, you must be in the path of totality.