Solar and Lunar Eclipses

The first solar eclipse in 2010 is an annular solar eclipse on January 15. This eclipse will be visible from a track across central Africa, the Indian Ocean and eastern Asia. The greatest eclipse occurs at 07:06:33 UT when the eclipse magnitude reaches 0.9190. See also the animation showing the path.

The second eclipse in 2010 is a partial lunar eclipse on June 26. The eclipse will be visible from much of the Americas, the Pacific and eastern Asia. The greatest eclipse occurs at 11:38:27 UT when the northern half of the lunar disk will be immersed in the umbra.

The third eclipse in 2010 is a total solar eclipse on July 11. It tracks across the South Pacific and can be experienced from Easter Island, southern Argentina and Chile. Greatest eclipse occurs in the South Pacific at 19:33:31 UT. At this point, the axis of the moon's shadow passes closest to earth's center.

The last eclipse in 2010 is a total lunar eclipse on December 21. It will be visible to observers in North America and western South America. The eclipse’s total phase lasts for 72 minutes. The total eclipse begins at 07:40:47 UT and the point of the greatest eclipse occurs at 08:16:57 UT.

The year 2009 was marked with six eclipses: an annular solar eclipse on January 26; a penumbral lunar eclipse on February 9; a penumbral lunar eclipse on July 7, 2009; a total solar eclipse on July 22, 2009; a penumbral lunar eclipse on August 6, 2009; and a partial on December 31, 2009.

Four eclipses occurred in 2008. The first one was an annular solar eclipse on February 7, 2008, and the second was a total lunar eclipse on February 21, 2008. The third eclipse was a total solar eclipse on August 1, 2008. This was followed by a partial lunar eclipse on August 16, 2008.

Discover the different types of eclipses, such as total solar eclipses and lunar eclipses. Find out more about the solar eclipse in history and tips for eclipse enthusiasts.