A total solar eclipse is a rare event. Although they occur somewhere on earth every 18 months on average, it is estimated that they recur at any given place only once every 370 years. Why are reoccurring solar eclipses so rare?

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Physics

19 September, 01:14

A total solar eclipse is a rare event. Although they occur somewhere on earth every 18 months on average, it is estimated that they recur at any given place only once every 370 years. Why are reoccurring solar eclipses so rare?

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Angelique Branch · Answer 1

Because the tip of the moon's shadow ... the area of "totality" ... is never more than a couple hundred miles across, It never covers a single place for more than 7 minutes, and can never stay on the Earth's surface for more than a few hours altogether during one eclipse.

If you're not inside that small area, you don't see a total eclipse.