Solar eclipse: strange things that may happen during rare event
(FOX40.COM) — Some abnormal activity is expected to occur as a rare total solar eclipse spreads above 15 states, Mexico, and Canada on April 8.
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Eerie silence
Nature might go silent when the moon covers the sun during the April 8 solar eclipse. That’s because birds, bees, and other animals think it’s nighttime, according to weather.com. Bees may stop buzzing, birds may stop singing their songs, and crickets may stop chirping.
Sudden weather changes
The weather during a total solar eclipse can change rapidly. Wind directions can suddenly change, and temperatures can drop as the moon covers the sun.
According to weather.com, most places see temperature drops of around 5 to 15 degrees, depending on a person’s location. “Eclipse winds” are also produced when the wind changes direction and drops during totality (when the moon completely covers the sun).
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The eclipse could also spark thunderstorms. In areas where it isn’t cloudy, temperature drops are known to induce thunderstorms near the edge of totality.
Bailey’s Beads
One of the most notable things that can happen during a solar eclipse is the appearance of what scientists call “Bailey’s Beads.”
Bailey’s Beads create a “diamond ring effect” that occurs when slivers of sunlight peek through the edges of the moon during a solar eclipse. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, this effect occurs when gaps in the moon’s rugged terrain allow sunlight to pass through in some places just before the final phase of the eclipse.
It reveals a dazzling and unique appearance for spectators with the right viewing equipment.
Altered animal behavior
A total solar eclipse may be fascinating to humans, but it can be confusing for wild animals and pets. Although behavior is still being studied, Texas A&M University Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences reported that the darkness caused by an eclipse can disrupt their internal clocks, leading to confusion and anxiety.
During a solar eclipse, pets may display unusual behaviors because they are accustomed to being active during daylight hours and resting at night, according to Texas A&M. Animals with a history of anxiety may exhibit behaviors such as whining, pacing, panting, or hiding.
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NASA recently launched a program called the Eclipse Soundscapes Project to further study how eclipses affect life on Earth. It encourages everyday people to submit sounds and recordings of activity during the solar eclipse for analysis. The observations data collected will reportedly help NASA better understand solar eclipse effects on various U.S. ecosystems.
Strange light effects
Many skywatchers will see colors shift and give familiar objects unusual hues. Colors known to be rich to the human eye, such as red and orange, may appear to be muted when compared with blues and greens.
According to space.com, the natural shift in color perception is caused by fluctuating light levels resulting from the darkening of the sun. The rapid dimming of the sun heightens the effect, called the “Purkinje shift,” and can make the eclipse feel like a surreal event.
Weird feelings
Total solar eclipses are known by experts to bring about temporary shifts in emotions. NASA reported that many people tend to have deep emotional responses when the sun goes into totality.
Unusual shadows
Shadow bands are in the category of strangest effects associated with solar eclipses. Shadow bands are unusual shadows that can be seen on the ground and on buildings during an eclipse. The bands are described as grey ripples that become visible on the path of the eclipse.
Visible stars and planets
Some of the planets that would normally be hidden in daylight could make an appearance during the totality of the solar eclipse. Space.com reported that Venus, located around 15 degrees to the west of the sun, and Jupiter, 30 degrees east, may be visible to those looking afield in the sky during the eclipse.
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