During which moon phase can a solar eclipse occur?

A solar eclipse can only occur during the new moon phase. This is because the new moon is the time when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, allowing the moon to block the sun’s light partially or completely, casting a shadow on the Earth. The alignment of the three celestial bodies—Earth, moon, and sun—is crucial for this event to take place.

During the full moon phase, the Earth is positioned between the moon and the sun, which does not allow for a solar eclipse, as the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun. In the first and last quarter phases, the moon is positioned at a right angle to the Earth-sun line, which similarly prevents a solar eclipse from occurring since the moon is not directly in front of the sun. Thus, the new moon is distinctly the only phase during which a solar eclipse can happen.