A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking all or part of the Sun's light. This alignment can only happen during a new moon phase. There are three main types of solar eclipses: total, partial, and annular, depending on how much of the Sun is obscured. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely covers the Sun, allowing viewers in the path of totality to see the Sun's corona. A partial solar eclipse happens when only a part of the Sun is obscured, while an annular eclipse occurs when the Moon is too far from the Earth to completely cover the Sun, resulting in a ring-like appearance.