What happens during a solar eclipse?

Earth blocks the Sun from the Moon

Why does the Moon turn red in a total lunar eclipse?

Sunlight filtered through Earth's atmosphere

What is an annular eclipse?

When the Moon leaves a ring of Sun visible

Why can the Moon exactly cover the Sun?

The Sun is about 400 times larger and 400 times farther away

What is the Saros cycle?

An eclipse cycle of about 18 years

Eclipses Quiz – How Much Do You Really Know?

This eclipses quiz covers total, partial and annular solar eclipses, lunar eclipses and blood moons, the Sun's corona, eclipse safety, Saros cycles and famous eclipses in history. Ten questions test how much you really know about the Sun, Moon and Earth lining up.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Solar
What happens during a solar eclipse?
Lunar
What happens during a lunar eclipse?
Red
Why does the Moon turn red in a total lunar eclipse?
Ring
What is an annular eclipse?
Corona
What becomes visible during totality?
Safety
Why should you never look at a partial solar eclipse without protection?
Coincidence
Why can the Moon exactly cover the Sun?
Saros
What is the Saros cycle?
Einstein
Which 1919 eclipse helped confirm general relativity?
Recent
Which country saw a total solar eclipse cross it on April 8, 2024?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: What happens during a solar eclipse?
Answer: The Moon blocks the Sun
It can only happen at new moon.
Q2: What happens during a lunar eclipse?
Answer: Earth's shadow falls on the Moon
It can only happen at full moon.
Q3: Why does the Moon turn red in a total lunar eclipse?
Answer: Sunlight filtered through Earth's atmosphere
It is called a blood moon.
Q4: What is an annular eclipse?
Answer: When the Moon leaves a ring of Sun visible
The Moon is too far to cover the Sun fully.
Q5: What becomes visible during totality?
Answer: The Sun's corona
It is the Sun's outer atmosphere.
Q6: Why should you never look at a partial solar eclipse without protection?
Answer: It can damage your eyes
Use certified eclipse glasses.
Q7: Why can the Moon exactly cover the Sun?
Answer: The Sun is about 400 times larger and 400 times farther away
It is a lucky coincidence.
Q8: What is the Saros cycle?
Answer: An eclipse cycle of about 18 years
Babylonians used it to predict eclipses.
Q9: Which 1919 eclipse helped confirm general relativity?
Answer: May 29, 1919
Starlight bent around the Sun.
Q10: Which country saw a total solar eclipse cross it on April 8, 2024?
Answer: Mexico, the USA and Canada
Millions watched along the path.

Eclipses Quiz – When Shadows Meet

Eclipses happen when the Sun, Moon and Earth line up. In a solar eclipse, the Moon passes in front of the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth. In a lunar eclipse, Earth's shadow falls on the Moon, often turning it a coppery red.

Total solar eclipses are rare at any one place and last only a few minutes. During totality, the sky darkens, stars appear and the Sun's glowing corona becomes visible. Annular eclipses leave a ring of fire when the Moon is too far away to cover the Sun fully.

Eclipses have inspired fear and wonder throughout history. Ancient astronomers learned to predict them, and the 1919 eclipse helped confirm Einstein's theory of relativity. Always use proper eye protection when viewing a solar eclipse.

What This Quiz Teaches

This quiz is for stargazers exploring eclipses.

What solar and lunar eclipses are
Why the Moon turns red
What annular eclipses are
Why eye safety matters
What the Saros cycle is

Did You Know?

Total solar eclipses happen somewhere about every 18 months.
Totality never lasts more than about 7.5 minutes.
Spain saw a total solar eclipse in August 2026.
Lunar eclipses are safe to watch.
The Moon is slowly moving away, so total eclipses will end someday.