<P> If the Moon were in a perfectly circular orbit , a little closer to the Earth , and in the same orbital plane , there would be total solar eclipses every new moon . However , since the Moon 's orbit is tilted at more than 5 degrees to the Earth 's orbit around the Sun , its shadow usually misses Earth . The Moon 's orbit must cross Earth 's ecliptic plane in order for an eclipse ( both solar as well as lunar ) to occur . In addition , the Moon 's actual orbit is elliptical , often taking it far enough away from Earth that its apparent size is not large enough to block the Sun entirely . The orbital planes cross each other at a line of nodes resulting in at least two , and up to five , solar eclipses occurring each year ; no more than two of which can be total eclipses . However , total solar eclipses are rare at any particular location because totality exists only along a narrow path on the Earth 's surface traced by the Moon 's shadow or umbra . </P>
<P> If the Moon were in a perfectly circular orbit , a little closer to the Earth , and in the same orbital plane , there would be total solar eclipses every new moon . However , since the Moon 's orbit is tilted at more than 5 degrees to the Earth 's orbit around the Sun , its shadow usually misses Earth . The Moon 's orbit must cross Earth 's ecliptic plane in order for an eclipse ( both solar as well as lunar ) to occur . In addition , the Moon 's actual orbit is elliptical , often taking it far enough away from Earth that its apparent size is not large enough to block the Sun entirely . The orbital planes cross each other at a line of nodes resulting in at least two , and up to five , solar eclipses occurring each year ; no more than two of which can be total eclipses . However , total solar eclipses are rare at any particular location because totality exists only along a narrow path on the Earth 's surface traced by the Moon 's shadow or umbra . </P>
why are solar eclipses rare and only last a few minutes
why are solar eclipses rare and only last a few minutes
since the Moon 's orbit is tilted at more than 5 degrees to the Earth 's orbit around the Sun , its shadow usually misses Earth .
since the Moon 's orbit is tilted at more than 5 degrees to the Earth 's orbit around the Sun , its shadow usually misses Earth .