A lunar eclipse typically happens between two to five times a year. However, a total lunar eclipse occurs less frequently, about at least two every three years. The average is often around two lunar eclipses per year, but this can vary, with some years having as many as three to five lunar eclipses. The reason lunar eclipses do not happen every month, even though there's a full moon roughly every 29.5 days, is that the Moon's orbit is tilted by about 5 degrees relative to the Earth's orbit. This tilt means that the Moon usually passes above or below Earth's shadow, preventing an eclipse each month. In summary:
- Lunar eclipses occur 2 to 5 times a year.
- Total lunar eclipses happen at least twice every three years.
- A total lunar eclipse visible from a single location happens approximately every 2.5 years.
This phenomenon is due to the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon during the full moon when Earth casts its shadow on the Moon.
