The Sun is about 400 times wider than the Moon, and also about 400 times further away. So from Earth they look almost exactly the same size, letting the Moon cover the Sun precisely.
Truth label: Established. Strong evidence and broad agreement among experts.
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A temporary gift
As the Moon drifts away, total eclipses will eventually stop happening, in hundreds of millions of years.
The corona
Only during totality can you see the Sun's glowing outer atmosphere with the naked eye.
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- Annular eclipses. When the Moon is a bit further away, it leaves a ring of fire around the edge.
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How many times further away is the Sun than the Moon?
About 400. Matching its 400 times greater width.
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