The motion of the Sun and Moon is crucial in understanding eclipses. An eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align in a specific way. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, casting its shadow on Earth, blocking part or all of the Sun's light. This occurs during a New Moon phase.
On the other hand, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, with Earth's shadow falling on the Moon's surface. This happens during a Full Moon phase. The Earth's atmosphere can refract sunlight and create a reddish hue on the Moon during a total lunar eclipse, which is often referred to as a "blood moon."
Eclipses don't occur every month because the Moon's orbit is slightly tilted relative to Earth's orbit around the Sun. This tilt causes the paths of the Sun and Moon to usually miss each other. These celestial events offer remarkable visual displays and provide valuable insights into the mechanics of our solar system.