WHY DO ECLIPSES HAPPEN?

                               WHY DO ECLIPSES  ? 

 A solar eclipse (shown at right, with  the moon to the left of Earth) occurs be when the moon passes directly between Earth and the sun, blocking the sun from view. A lunar eclipse (shown at right, with the moon to the right of Earth).
occurs when Earth passes directly  between the sun and the moon. The moon passes into Earth's shadow, or umbra, and dims temporarily. A total eclipse can last up to 7.5 minutes. A total lunar eclipse can last up to 100 minutes.