What role do the Moon’s orbital nodes play in solar and lunar eclipses?

The Moon’s orbital nodes are critical to the occurrence of eclipses because the Moon’s orbital plane is inclined by approximately 5° relative to the ecliptic, the plane of Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Because of this tilt, the Moon typically passes above or below the Sun during a new moon and avoids Earth’s shadow during a full moon.123

Nodes are the two points where the Moon’s orbital path crosses the ecliptic. An eclipse can only occur when the Moon is at or near one of these nodes, as this is the only time the Sun, Earth, and Moon align closely enough to create an eclipse.143

• Solar Eclipses: These occur when a new moon takes place near a node, allowing the Moon to pass directly between Earth and the Sun.13
• Lunar Eclipses: These occur when a full moon takes place near a node, positioning the Moon to pass through Earth’s shadow.32

Because the nodes are 180° apart, eclipses occur during specific "eclipse seasons" when the Sun is near one of these nodes.3