How To View an Eclipse, Catching sight of an eclipse is a wonderful event, and there are people who invest much time and love into chasing eclipses around the world. At its most basic, an eclipse occurs when one object passes through the shadow of another. While most people are familiar with solar eclipses, there are actually both solar and lunar eclipses and both are worth the effort if you're a serious stargazer; no words or photos can ever replace the experience of seeing an eclipse for yourself.