An eclipse is a phenomenon that occurs when one celestial body moves into the shadow of another celestial body, blocking its light. On Earth, we most commonly experience solar and lunar eclipses, where the sun or moon is blocked by the Earth's shadow.
Solar and lunar eclipses occur approximately twice a year, but may not be visible from all locations on Earth. Total solar eclipses, where the sun is completely blocked, are less common and may only occur in a specific region every few years.
Eclipses occur when the orbits of the celestial bodies align in a way that allows one to block the light from the other. For solar eclipses, this means the moon aligning between the Earth and the sun. For lunar eclipses, this means the Earth aligning between the sun and the moon.
No, it is not safe to look directly at an eclipse without proper eye protection. The intense light from the sun can cause damage to your eyes, even during a partial eclipse.
To safely view a solar eclipse, you can use special eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector to indirectly view the event. You can also watch a live stream online. For lunar eclipses, no special equipment is needed and it can be viewed with the naked eye.