.TOTAL SOLAR eclipses have awed individuals since time out of mind. The first document of one, maintained on a clay tablet located at Ugarit, currently in Syria, is actually believed from its own age as well as place to define either an eclipse that happened in 1375BC or even one in 1223BC. Legendary explanations for eclipses feature the Sunlight being actually eaten through pet dogs, frogs or monsters. The reality is actually much more prosaic. Eclipses are caused by the Moon relocating between Sunshine as well as Earth in a manner that projects a shadow on portion of The planet's surface area. Why are total ones, like the one crossing portion of North America on April 8th, therefore rare?