Final answer:
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is in a line between Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth, which can partially or totally block the Sun from view.
Step-by-step explanation:
An eclipse occurs because of a specific arrangement of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth. The correct arrangement that causes a solar eclipse is when the Moon is in a line between Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun's light from reaching Earth. This can result in a spectacular sight, where if the eclipse is total, the Moon completely covers the Sun, revealing the solar atmosphere (the corona). Solar eclipses take place rarely in any one location and are among nature's most dramatic phenomena.
During a solar eclipse, the Moon's shadow strikes Earth and, depending on the distances and alignment, can either partially or fully block the Sun's disk from view. For a total solar eclipse to occur, the Moon must be close enough to Earth so that its umbra, or darkest part of the shadow, reaches Earth's surface. As with all celestial shadows, this phenomenon occurs when solid objects in the solar system, like the Moon, block the light of the Sun from a region behind it.