Solar eclipse. Artwork of the positions of the Earth, Moon and Sun during a total solar eclipse. The Moon, in orbit around the Earth (at upper left), passes between the Earth and the Sun, casting a large shadow on the Earth's surface. Totality lasts between 3 and 7 minutes, depending on how far the Moon and Sun are away from Earth. Solar eclipses only occur in this position, when the Moon is new. They do not occur every new Moon due to the Moon's inclined orbit around the Earth.