Why does a solar eclipse not happen with each new moon?

In 2018, there are 13 full moons and 12 new moons, but only 5 eclipses - 2 lunar and 3 solar. ... A solar eclipse happens at the opposite phase of the moon – new moon – when the moon passes between the sun and Earth. Why aren't there ... There'd be an eclipse of the moon at every full moon. read more

Eclipses only occur if the Moon is located within 0.5 degrees of the plane of the ecliptic, on a line that passes through the center of the Sun and the Earth. The Moon travels along an orbit that is inclined by 5 degrees to the ecliptic plane, so there are only two opportunities each month when it passes through the plane of the ecliptic. read more

If the Moon lies above or below the plane of the ecliptic when new or full, an eclipse won’t happen. This is also why solar and lunar eclipses tend to fall within about two weeks of one another. If the Moon approaches close enough to the ecliptic during a full Moon for a lunar eclipse occur, it will once again approach the ecliptic about two weeks later, when it’s new, causing a solar eclipse, and vice versa. read more

A new NASA video shows why solar eclipses don't happen every month as the moon crosses between the sun and the Earth. read more