Lesser-known facts about the father of modern science
Back in 2011, a study published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences found that solar eclipses change the growth and shape of microbes.
The ionosphere is known to fluctuate in response to things like solar flares and solar storms.
Seconds before an eclipse reaches totality, wavy stripes of light and dark shadows might appear on solid-colored surfaces.
Scientists suspect it might have something to do with the way the sun interacts with earth's ionosphere.
Most places see temperature drops of around 5-10°F (2.8-5.6°C) during a total eclipse.
These "shadow bands" are a bit of a scientific mystery, and look like you're at the bottom of a swimming pool.
Sources: (Live Science) (Grunge) (The Washington Post)
See also: Spectacular celestial events to not miss in the upcoming months
Not only do solar eclipses affect large animals, but small, microscopic creatures respond as well.
The study found that the microbes became smaller and differently shaped near the peak of the eclipse. However, these results have not yet been replicated.
Crepuscular creatures, like cicadas and crickets, might start chirping their evening song, when it's clearly not evening.
After the moon covers the sun, the wind starts to kick back up, often blowing in a different direction. This occurs with total, annular, and even partial eclipses.
On top of temperature and wind, both total and annular eclipses mess with certain radio wave frequencies, and nobody is quite sure why.
Adorably, cows and horses may begin bedding down for the night, while birds return to their roost.
Along with the temperature drop, places experiencing an eclipse can expect a change in wind direction.
How much depends on the location, time of year, and type of eclipse.
At first, the wind dies down as the moon gets closer to blocking the sun.
Make sure to bring a jacket to your eclipse viewing, because temperatures can drop quickly, as the moon covers the sun.
When the sky suddenly goes dark in the middle of the day, the animal kingdom can become very confused.
If you look up to the total or annular solar eclipse (safely, with appropriate eye protection), you might notice little light bubbles around the rim of the moon.
This phenomenon is known as "Baily's beads." It's named after astronomer Francis Baily, who described the effect in 1836.
Only the brightest of these will be visible. But, which ones show up will depend on earth's position at the time.
Normally, we can't see these protuberances from earth. But during an eclipse, they may be visible behind the moon.
During a total solar eclipse, the moon blocks out enough of the sun's light for stars and planets to appear in the sky.
However, just like with Baily's beads, you shouldn't look at solar prominences with your naked eyes! Always wear eclipse glasses.
Solar prominences, also known as filaments, are huge plasma and magnetic-field structures, which arise from the sun's surface.
Baily's beads is caused by sunlight interacting with the moon's uneven topography.
The shadows made by trees and other objects cause a "pinhole" effect, which look like tiny crescents.
These eclipse shadows occur during annular and partial eclipses, and the effect can be quite enchanting.
As an eclipse passes overhead, most people look up to the sky. But take a moment to look at the ground.
A solar eclipse isn't just a spectacle in the sky. When the moon passes between the earth and the sun, strange things will happen. For this reason, many scientists see eclipses as rare opportunities to study how nature responds to a few minutes of dusk in the middle of the day. From odd animal behavior to sudden drops in temperature, solar eclipses have long fascinated humans, and understandably so!
Curious? Click on for a few of the weird things that you might experience during a solar eclipse.
Watch out for these weird things that can happen during a solar eclipse
Expect confused animals and strange shadows!
LIFESTYLE Space
A solar eclipse isn't just a spectacle in the sky. When the moon passes between the earth and the sun, strange things will happen. For this reason, many scientists see eclipses as rare opportunities to study how nature responds to a few minutes of dusk in the middle of the day. From odd animal behavior to sudden drops in temperature, solar eclipses have long fascinated humans, and understandably so!
Curious? Click on for a few of the weird things that you might experience during a solar eclipse.