How often will a solar eclipse happen?

Answer 1

Solar eclipses happen about twice a year, on average. Depending on the precise alignment of the Sun, Moon and Earth, we sometimes get two partial eclipses instead of one total or annular eclipse.

However, because a solar eclipse affects a very small area of the Earth, it's rare to have two solar eclipses in the same area less than about 60 years apart. However, there will be a total eclipse with a path of totality across the USA from west to east in 2017, and a total eclipse that will track from southwest to northeast in 2024. The paths cross at Carbondale, IL, and within about 30 miles of there one would experience two total solar eclipses only 7 years apart.