A solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse are opposite alignments — but every month has both a new moon and a full moon, and we don't get an eclipse at every one. Turn on the Moon's real tilt below to see why.
Preparing the interactive 3D model. The explanation and NASA sources below remain readable while it loads.
An eclipse needs new/full moon AND the Moon crossing Earth's orbital plane at one of two points called nodes. This model illustrates tilt at 15° instead of the real ~5.1° for visibility, but does not calculate the exact node-crossing timing.
Compressed like every model on this site — real eclipse geometry also depends on the Moon's and Sun's exact apparent size, which is why some solar eclipses are total and others are annular (a "ring of fire").
Why we only ever see one side of the Moon.
The everyday version of this alignment — no tilt, just phase shape.
Back to the full interactive 3D solar system.