On April 8, a total solar eclipse will be visible across 15 U.S. states as well as parts of Canada and Mexico. Millions of people living in areas along the path of the total eclipse will be able to witness this amazing astronomical phenomenon.
Tyler Nordgren, an astronomer, artist and author, told Live Science in an interview that a solar eclipse is “the most unnatural natural phenomenon you will ever experience.” Here are some of the strange things you might encounter during a solar eclipse.
Baily Beads Effect
The Baily's Beads effect, also known as the diamond ring, occurs when sunlight hits the moon's rough surface. (Photo: AstroPix)
When you look at a solar eclipse with protective eyewear, you may see a ring of light around the edge of the moon that resembles a necklace. This phenomenon is named after astronomer Francis Baily, who first described and explained it in 1836. Baily's beads appear due to the rough terrain of the moon being illuminated by sunlight.
Sunspot
"Solar filaments" are magnetic field lines that extend across the surface of the sun.
Also known as “solar filaments,” these are structures of plasma and magnetic fields that protrude from the surface of the sun. Normally, they are invisible to the naked eye from Earth, but during a solar eclipse, these protrusions appear behind the moon and can take on the shape of flower petals.
Sudden temperature drop
People observe the solar eclipse. (Photo: Space)
Eclipse viewers are advised to bring a jacket, as temperatures will drop dramatically when the moon covers the sun. The temperature drop will depend on a number of factors, including the time of year, location, and the type of eclipse (total, annular, or partial).
Most locations will see a temperature drop of 2.8 to 5.6 degrees Celsius during the total eclipse. One report from 1834 claimed that temperatures dropped as much as 15 degrees Celsius in some places, although this is highly unlikely. According to Nordgren, it will feel like the sun is covered by clouds even though there are no clouds, making the cooler feeling all the more strange.
Wind changes
Observing a solar eclipse requires the use of specialized equipment. (Photo: X)
In addition to the usual drop in temperature, the areas affected by the eclipse will see unusual changes in wind direction. First, the wind will become weaker as the Moon moves closer to occluding the Sun. At the peak of the eclipse, the wind will return but in a completely different direction. This phenomenon occurs during partial, annular, and total eclipses.
Animals "confused"
Activities on the Earth's surface will be affected to some extent during the solar eclipse. (Photo: Getty Images)
When the sky suddenly darkens in the middle of the day, animals react in a very unusual way, as if it were night. Creatures that are normally active in the evening, such as cicadas and crickets, may start chirping. Cows and horses will want to rest, while many birds will return to their nests, according to Live Science.
Radio waves are disrupted.
Radio waves are affected during a solar eclipse. (Photo: Getty Images)
Both total and annular solar eclipses disrupt certain radio frequencies — and no one is sure why. Scientists suspect it may have something to do with the way the sun interacts with Earth's ionosphere, which fluctuates in response to sunlight and solar storms.
During the April 8 eclipse, scientists and radio enthusiasts across North America will be ready to collect more data on how the eclipse disrupts these transmissions.
Seeing stars and planets in broad daylight
Total solar eclipse. (Photo: Getty Images)
During a solar eclipse, the Moon blocks the light from the Sun, making it possible to see some stars and planets from Earth that are not possible on a normal day. Of course, only the brightest planets and stars will be visible. During the 2024 eclipse in North America, observers are expected to see both Venus and Jupiter.
Source
Comment (0)