Expert: Paul Wagner - 12/13/2004

Question
What exactly is a "Saros cycle" in layman's terms please,

Thank you!
Lola

Answer
Dear Lola:

The Saros Cycle is just a fancy name for the roughly 18 year-long cycle of eclipses.  The Earth and Moon slowly spin around each other while the Earth orbits the Sun.  Every 18 or so years the planes of these orbits pass through the same points again, creating the opportunity for eclipses. That's what the Saros Cycle is.

Paul Wagner