The distance between the Moon and the Sun doesn't change during an eclipse. The distance between the Sun and the Moon is constantly changing because the Moon orbits the Earth in an elliptical path, but this distance is irrelevant to whether or not an eclipse occurs.

What matters during an eclipse is the alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth. A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth. The distance between the Moon and the Sun doesn't affect the shadow's path.

Here's a breakdown:

* Distance between the Sun and Earth: Approximately 93 million miles (150 million km)

* Distance between the Earth and Moon: Varies from 225,623 miles (363,104 km) to 252,088 miles (405,696 km)

So, while the distance between the Earth and Moon does change, it doesn't determine if an eclipse occurs. The alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth is the crucial factor.