Solar Eclipse

A Solar Eclipse occurs when an observer on Earth passes through the shadow cast by the Moon which fully or partially blocks the Sun. This happens when the Sun, Moon and observer are nearly aligned on a straight line when the Moon is close to the ecliptic. In a total solar eclipse, the disk of the Sun is fully obscured by the Moon. In partial and annular eclipses, only part of the Sun is obscured.

Solar Eclipse Comparison
Of interest is that on the globe the paths of the Solar Eclipse look rather odd:



Source (Archive)

On the Flat Earth map the paths appear to be symmetrical arcs:



From A Text-Book of Astronomy by George C. Comstock (p.113) (Archive)

Further Reference
Also see this interesting comparison: