What is the name of the phenomenon that causes a total solar eclipse?
The name of the phenomenon that causes a total solar eclipse is called syzygy.
This occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned in a straight line, with the Moon positioned directly between the Sun and the Earth.
When this happens, the Moon's shadow falls on the Earth, blocking out the Sun's light and causing a total solar eclipse to occur in the areas where the shadow is visible.
Syzygy can also cause other astronomical phenomena, such as lunar eclipses and planetary conjunctions.