Why do solar eclipses last for very short duration?

In a solar eclipse, totality lasts for only a few minutes at any one spot, but the eclipse itself lasts for hours, as it traces a path along the sunlit side of the Earth. read more

In a solar eclipse, the umbra of the Moon on the Earth’s surface is a circle about 70 miles in diameter. In a lunar eclipse, the umbra of the Earth is large enough to cover the entire surface of the full moon at one time. read more

Because the shadow cast by the Earth is bigger than the shadow cast by the moon. The moon’s shadow only makes a small circle that travels across the sunlit surface of the Earth, which is why solar eclipse enthusiasts must travel to very specific places on Earth to see eclipses. read more