Partial solar eclipse
During a partial solar eclipse, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but the alignment isn’t perfect. From Earth, this makes it look as if the Moon has taken a bite out of the Sun, while leaving part of the Sun uncovered.
Every time there is a total or annular solar eclipse, a partial eclipse is visible from regions on Earth next to the ‘band of totality’ (or annularity, in the case of an annular solar eclipse). Other regions on Earth don’t see any eclipse at all.
The half-shadowed region from which a partial solar eclipse is visible is called the ‘penumbra’, indicated in dark blue. A total solar eclipse is visible from the region of full shadow called the ‘umbra’, highlighted in a lighter shade of blue in the image.
The 2026–2028 ‘European solar eclipses’
Remember: never look directly at the Sun, even when partially eclipsed, without proper eye protection such as special solar eclipse glasses, or you risk permanent eye damage.
[Image description: This infographic explains how partial solar eclipses work. A central diagram shows the formation Sun-Moon-Earth, with the Moon tracing a shadow on Earth as it blocks the Sun's light. The fully shadowed region is labelled 'umbra'; because the Moon is not perfectly aligned with the Sun, this umbra region does not reach Earth's surface, implying that we do not see the Moon fully blocking the Sun's light. A surrounding partially shadowed region, partially covering Earth, is labelled 'penumbra'. The Sun, Moon and Earth themselves are also labelled. Dashed lines mark out the path of sunlight. A heading at the top says 'Partial solar eclipse' and the European Space Agency logo sits at the top right of the infographic.]
