The Moon completes a revolution round the Earth in 29.5 days.
On the average, the Moon is 238,855 miles (384,400 km) away.
Its orbit is elliptical or oval (not circular) and the distance from Earth can be 405,504 km at the apogee, when it is farthest from the Earth.
The Moon, in its orbit, is closest to the Earth – in its perigee – just 222,000 miles (355,200 km) away.
A total lunar eclipse happens as the Earth moves between it and the Sun; completely blocking sunlight from reaching it and engulfing it in its shadow.
The Moon is then, said to be passing through the Umbra of the Earth’s shadow.
In a partial lunar eclipse, the Moon passes through the Penumbra of the Earth’s shadow – only a part of the Moon is covered by the Earth’s shadow.
However, in a solar eclipse, the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth.
Each of the Moon’s special appearances can only be experienced by observers in a part of the Earth at a time because the two bodies, Earth and the Moon, are in perpetual motion.
A total solar eclipse was over North America on April 8, 2024, for 4 minutes and 27 seconds.
The path of totality, or total darkness, of the solar eclipse began over the South Pacific Ocean and crossed parts of North America, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Thousands of people traveled to watch and all news media, especially television channels, gave it live coverage.
After the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the next total solar eclipse over United States will be on August 23, 2044.
The great excitement over this is therefore, expected.
