What is the main event during a solar eclipse?

During a solar eclipse, the primary event that occurs is when the Moon moves directly between the Earth and the Sun. This alignment causes the Moon to obstruct the sunlight from reaching the Earth partially or completely, depending on the specific type of solar eclipse being experienced.

When the Moon is perfectly aligned with the Sun, it can create either a total solar eclipse, where the Sun is completely covered, or a partial solar eclipse, where only a portion of the Sun is obscured. This phenomenon only happens during a new moon phase when the Moon's orbit places it directly between the Earth and the Sun.

The other choices do not reflect the main event of a solar eclipse. The Earth's movement into the shadow of the Moon pertains to a lunar eclipse, whereas the statement about stars being obscured by the Sun does not accurately capture what happens during a solar eclipse. Additionally, the Moon's surface being illuminated refers to normal lunar conditions, rather than the specific interactions that define a solar eclipse.