Why is a new moon not the same as a solar eclipse?

Question

Forgive the elementary nature of this question:Because a new moon occurs when the moon is positioned between the earth and sun, doesn't this also mean that somewhere on the Earth, a solar eclipse (or partial eclipse) is happening?What, then, is the difference between a solar eclipse and a new moon?

Answer 1

The moon is orbiting the Earth at an angle of about 5 degrees to the ecliptic. What that means is that the moon can be between the Earth and the Sun, but at an angle. Therefore, the moon's shadow misses the Earth's surface and a new moon does not automatically result in a solar eclipse as visible from the Earth's surface. An eclipse happens when the Moon is at a location called a node, where its orbit lines up with the ecliptic and it can block out the Sun as seen from the surface.

I hope that helps.