During what phase of the moon can a solar eclipse occur?

full moon
waxing gibbous
new moon
first quarter

Question

During what phase of the moon can a solar eclipse occur?
 	
	full moon
	waxing gibbous
	new moon
	first quarter

uglyturtle · Answer

The phase of the moon that a solar eclipse can occur during a new moon. http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/solar.html

anonymous · Answer

mr.nood, it actually is the new moon phase.

mrnood · Answer

OK - I apologise - I misread the question

What I described was an eclipse of the moon  - and that can only happen at FULL moon.

However, a SOLAR eclipse occurs when the moon passes BETWEEN the earth and the sun, which is of course NEW moon.

Sorry for any confusion I may have caused.