The three main types of solar eclipses are partial solar eclipses, total solar eclipses, and annular eclipses. In a partial solar eclipse, only a portion of the Sun is obscured by the Moon. In a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely covers the Sun, revealing the Sun's corona. An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon is farther from the Earth, resulting in a ring-like appearance of the Sun around the Moon's silhouette.