What phenomenon partially obscures Earth's view of the Sun?

The phenomenon that partially obscures Earth's view of the Sun is a solar eclipse. This occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, blocking out a portion of the Sun's light from reaching parts of the Earth. During a solar eclipse, observers in the path of the Moon's shadow can see the Sun's light being obscured, which may vary from a partial obscuration to a total obstruction depending on the alignment and distances between the Earth, Moon, and Sun. This is a spectacular astronomical event that illustrates the mechanics of our solar system and the movements of celestial bodies in relation to each other.

The other phenomena mentioned do not involve this specific obstruction of sunlight. A lunar transit involves the Earth casting a shadow on the Moon, which is an entirely different event, and tidal forces relate to the gravitational interactions between celestial bodies, affecting ocean tides but not involving a direct obscuration of the Sun. Planetary alignment involves the arrangement of planets along a line in space and does not create a shadow affecting the view of the Sun from Earth. Thus, a solar eclipse is the unique event that specifically results in the partial obscuration of the Sun’s light from the perspective of observers on Earth.