The Earth moves around the Sun; the Moon moves around the Earth. There are times when the three line up, with the Moon in the middle. By sheer chance, when we look from the Earth, the Sun and the Moon appear the same size in the sky. The Sun's diameter is 400 times that of the Moon, but the Sun is also 400 times further away. When the lining-up is exact, the Moon completely blots out the Sun for a brief period, causing what we call an eclipse of the Sun or a solar eclipse.

The Moon stops light from the Sun reaching some parts of the Earth.

The sky darkens so much that stars and planets can be seen, and animals get fooled into thinking that it's time for bed. You often see birds flying back to their nests to roost and animals lying down - even sheep! Unfortunately, no total eclipse lasts more than a few minutes so all the animals have to get up again!

ECLIPSE SOON!
Your luck is in because there will be a total eclipse on 11 August this year, visible in the UK from Cornwall and Devon. This will be the last total eclipse visible from Britain until 2090, although of course total eclipses can be seen somewhere in the world every year. If you can, I advise you to make an effort to see the eclipse in August - but always remember the dangers; never look directly unless the Sun is completely blotted out.