32/2012 Why is a new moon not the same as a solar eclipse?

I discovered the answer to an intriguing question I have always had. I asked many people, but no one seemed to know the answer (or rather gave me a convincing answer). Here is the question ::

"Because a new moon occurs when the moon is positioned between the earth and sun, doesn't this also mean that somewhere on the Earth, a solar eclipse (or partial eclipse) is happening?

What, then, is the difference between a solar eclipse and a new moon?"

Want to know the answer ? Go to :::http://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/433/why-is-a-new-moon-not-the-same-as-a-solar-eclipse?newsletter=1&nlcode=57597|1d90

To understand the orbit of the moon, take a look here :: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbit_of_the_Moon

If you have not understood the ecliptic, you will not understand anything of all this. So, take a look here, first :: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_of_the_ecliptic. You will find a useful animation explaining the ecliptic and the orbits of the earth and planets.

We can never stop learning.

partha