Which event occurs when the Moon is directly between the Sun and the Earth?

• A. Lunar Eclipse
• B. Phases of the Moon
• C. Solar Eclipse
• D. Revolution

Answer: (C)

When the Moon sits directly between the Sun and the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs. This alignment blocks sunlight from reaching parts of the Earth's surface because the Moon's shadow falls on Earth during this moment, typically around the time of a new Moon. If you’re in the path of the Moon’s full shadow (the umbra), you’ll see a total solar eclipse where the Sun is completely hidden; in the lighter shadow (the penumbra), you’ll see a partial solar eclipse. If the Moon is farther away in its orbit, it may not completely cover the Sun, creating an annular eclipse with a bright ring around the dark Moon. By contrast, a lunar eclipse happens when the Earth lies between the Sun and the Moon, the Moon’s phases describe its changing appearance over the month, and revolution refers to the Moon’s orbit around the Earth.