A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, temporarily blocking the Sun's light and casting a shadow onto the Earth's surface. The exact nature of the eclipse—whether it is total, partial, or annular—depends on the alignment of the three bodies and the relative sizes and distances of the celestial objects. During a total eclipse, the Moon completely covers the Sun's visible disk, allowing observers to view the corona, which is the Sun's outer atmosphere. Because the phenomenon is determined by precise orbital mechanics, the path of totality is narrow and restricted to specific geographic regions, requiring careful planning and observation to witness the celestial geometry.