What type of eclipse occurs when the moon covers the sun?

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, resulting in the moon covering the sun, either partially or completely. This alignment causes the sun's light to be blocked, creating a shadow on Earth.

In a solar eclipse, there are different variations, such as a total solar eclipse, where the entire sun is obscured, and a partial solar eclipse, where only a part of the sun is covered. The term "solar eclipse" broadly encompasses these different types, but the essence is that the moon is what is blocking the sun's light from reaching certain areas on Earth.

The lunar eclipse, which happens when the Earth is between the sun and the moon, is a different phenomenon where the Earth's shadow falls on the moon. A partial eclipse refers specifically to cases where only part of the sun is obscured, while a full eclipse refers to instances where the sun is completely covered by the moon.