Solar eclipse 2018: When is the next solar eclipse? Where can you see the next eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes through the shadow cast by the Moon which fully or partially blocks the Sun.

It happens when the Sun, Moon and Earth are aligned on a straight line in three dimensions, during a new moon when the Moon is close to the ecliptic plane.

Stargazers were last treated to a solar eclipse on August 11.

This partial solar eclipse passed over the Northern Hemisphere, including Greenland, northern Canada, Siberia and much of central East Asia.

This preceded the July 27 total lunar eclipse and another partial eclipse of the Sun in July.

The most spectacular phenomena in recent years was the Great American Eclipse of August 21, 2017.

This totally blotted out the Sun and the skies over the US were consequently plunged into eerie shadow for several minutes.

Many millions in the path of totality saw the Sun disappear behind the Moon and cast a shadow on Earth.

Fortunately, we will have to next less than three months for the next solar eclipse.

When is the next solar eclipse?

NASA astronomers have calculated the next solar eclipse will take place in the morning on January 6, 2019.

The partial eclipse will peak around 2.42am UK time.

However, the eclipse will only be visible over parts of the North Pacific Ocean and Northeast Asia.

But there are two more solar eclipses to look forward to, one of which will be a total eclipse.

This total solar eclipse will be seen over the South Pacific and South America on the evening of July 2.

It will peak at around 8.34pm BST.

The eclipse will then travel east towards South America, ending somewhere over Argentina.

The Moon will block out the Sun for around four minutes and 23 seconds.