Solar Eclipse Research Articles

Preparing for 2024 Total Solar Eclipse: Mining Social Media Data to Understand Spectator Experience

This study analyzes visitor dynamics during the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse in Southern Illinois using data from X (formerly known as Twitter). Focusing on spatial and temporal patterns, we identified key visitor clusters and sentiments. The majority of visitors originated from Chicago, IL, Nashville, TN, and St. Louis, MO. Findings revealed concentrated activities in specific locations, with generally positive experiences shared on social media. Insights gained will aid in planning for the upcoming 2024 eclipse, enhancing visitor experiences and economic benefits for the region. This research underscores the value of social media data in understanding and managing large-scale events in rural areas.

Clouds dissipate quickly during solar eclipses as the land surface cools

Clouds affected by solar eclipses could influence the reflection of sunlight back into space and might change local precipitation patterns. Satellite cloud retrievals have so far not taken into account the lunar shadow, hindering a reliable spaceborne assessment of the eclipse-induced cloud evolution. Here we use satellite cloud measurements during three solar eclipses between 2005 and 2016 that have been corrected for the partial lunar shadow together with large-eddy simulations to analyze the eclipse-induced cloud evolution. Our corrected data reveal that, over cooling land surfaces, shallow cumulus clouds start to disappear at very small solar obscurations (~15%). Our simulations explain that the cloud response was delayed and was initiated at even smaller solar obscurations. We demonstrate that neglecting the disappearance of clouds during a solar eclipse could lead to a considerable overestimation of the eclipse-related reduction of net incoming solar radiation. These findings should spur cloud model simulations of the direct consequences of sunlight-intercepting geoengineering proposals, for which our results serve as a unique benchmark.

Predictability, an Orrery, and a Speciation Machine: Quest for a Standard Model of Speciation.

Accurate predictions are commonly taken as a hallmark of strong scientific understanding. Yet, we do not seem capable today of making many accurate predictions about biological speciation. Why? What limits predictability in general, what exactly is the function and value of predictions, and how might we go about predicting new species? Inspired by an orrery used to explain solar eclipses, we address these questions with a thought experiment in which we conceive an evolutionary speciation machine generating new species. This experiment highlights complexity, chance, and speciation pluralism as the three fundamental challenges for predicting speciation. It also illustrates the methodological value of predictions in testing and improving conceptual models. We then outline how we might move from the hypothetical speciation machine to a predictive standard model of speciation. Operationalizing, testing, and refining this model will require a concerted shift to large-scale, integrative, and interdisciplinary efforts across the tree of life. This endeavor, paired with technological advances, may reveal apparently stochastic processes to be deterministic, and promises to expand the breadth and depth of our understanding of speciation and more generally, of evolution.

A Substorm‐Dependent Negative Limit of Non‐Eclipse Surface Charging of a Chinese Geosynchronous Satellite

AbstractSurface charging is one of the most common causes of spacecraft anomalies. When and to what potential the spacecraft is charged are two important questions in space weather. Here, for a Chinese geosynchronous navigation satellite, we infer the extreme negative surface charging potentials from the ion differential fluxes measured by a low‐energy ion spectrometer. Without the solar eclipse effect away from the midnight, the charging potentials are found to have a negative limit which is determined by the maximum SuperMAG electrojet index in the preceding 2 hr. Such an empirical relation can be reasonably explained by the dependence of 1–50 keV electron fluxes on substorm strength. Similar relations may also exist for other inner magnetospheric spacecraft in the non‐eclipse region, which would be useful for spacecraft engineering and space weather alerts.

Partial Solar Eclipse Affects <i>Apis Mellifera</i> L Forging Activity

Bees use sun’s position for navigation and thus a solar eclipse may affect this capability. Present study was conducted during partial solar eclipse on June 21, 2020 at Ludhiana, Punjab. Apis mellifera L foragers’ activity at the hive entrance was recorded through a digital bee counter. Bees’ activity increased normally, i.e. 771 and 823 bees/ 15 mins coming in and going out of the hive, respectively before the start of eclipsephase. At peak obscuration it decreased slightly but non-significantly. Changes in hive temperature andhumidity might have limited the recruitment of foragers. Hence, no peak activity was recorded duringpeak obscuration, which otherwise was recorded on ordinary days at 1345 hr.

Two Eclipses – Contribution to Understanding Nature and Society


 The aim of this paper is to illustrate how a cultural response is shaped by a natural phenomenon. A solar eclipse is, in a sense, a laboratory for humans have no influence on this natural phenomenon and the occurrence of the phenomenon itself, for the most part, has no significant consequences on people. This analysis is focused on two solar eclipses that occurred in Belgrade on February, 15th 1961 and on August, 11th 1999. The behavior of the citizens during these eclipses was entirely different. In 1961, the citizens curiously observed the eclipse through special glasses or darkened glasses whereas in 1999 they withdrew to their homes, avoiding any contact with the outside world. These contradictory behaviors were influenced by the positive propaganda in 1961 and the panic and fear stricken propaganda induced in 1999, both of which were created by the media under the control of the authorities of the time. Through the analysis of these dissimilar behaviors, as well as different contexts in which they occurred, deeper meanings are discerned, considering both the intentions of the authorities and the citizens' reactions to media propaganda related to these eclipses. It is also observed that there is a certain constant, i.e., each eclipse is closely intertwined with politics, even regarding traditional beliefs about the consequences of an eclipse. It may be concluded that the intrusion of politics into shaping the response to an eclipse is a consequence of the fact that the eclipse is socially consequence-free, so as to say an empty sign suitable for inscribing new meanings that holders of power wish to convey. 

The Mosaic of Society: Jayant Mahapatra’s Imaginative Realism and Philosophic Insights in Indian Social Milieu

Jayanta Mahapatra is widely celebrated as an iconic figure and revered as the Father of Modern and post-modern Indian English poetry. He is known for his unique blend of imaginative realism and profound philosophical insights in his poetry. This research paper presents a comprehensive exploration of the visionary poet Jayant Mahapatra's literary works, focusing on the intertwining themes of realism and philosophy within the rich tapestry of Indian literature. His profound poetical works serve as a cornerstone in any discourse on Indian English Poetry, vividly portraying themes of social discrimination and the erosion of moral values. Internationally acclaimed, Mahapatra's masterpieces such as "Hunger," "Myth," and " Summer" are hailed as flawless examples of majestic poetry that compel readers to grapple with profound societal truths. Delving deeper into his repertoire, his philosophical musings in poems like "The Moon Moments" and "Total Solar Eclipse" resonate with a stark realism that captivates and mesmerizes audiences worldwide. An immersive and enlightening reading of Mahapatra's poetic oeuvre, sheds light on how his imaginative realism and philosophic insights offer a deep understanding of contemporary Indian society, its complexities, and the human condition at large. His poetry is remarkable for its profound depth of emotions and true poetic imagination, which spans a wide variety of themes. His work evokes intense emotional connections with the world around him, as he skillfully transforms everyday events into verse. To quote Robert Frost: “Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” Mahapatra's imaginative canvas powerfully delves into the human condition, where a brooding landscape, heavy bodily passions, and interior compulsions intertwine with the agonizing strands of human existence, offering a profound and thought-provoking exploration of our innermost struggles. He himself stated “I fell in love with English. I played with words, turning them over and over again until they were heavy with meaning.”

Impact of the Eclipsed Sun on Terrestrial Atmospheric Parameters in Desert Locations: A Comprehensive Overview and Two Events Case Study in Saudi Arabia

This paper is devoted to the analysis of air temperature and humidity changes during the two solar eclipses of 26 December 2019 and 21 June 2020 in Saudi Arabia based on data we collected from two different sites. We highlight the complexity of humidity’s response to a solar eclipse, which is quite different from temperature’s response. During the December event, the Sun rose already partially eclipsed, while for the June eclipse, it was only partial at Riyadh. This difference apparently affected the observed response on the recorded variables: temperature, relative humidity (RH), and vapor pressure (VP) in the two events. Changes in these variables went unnoticed for the first eclipse since they were within the natural variability of the day; yet for the other, they showed evident alterations in the slopes of the major parameters, which we analyze and discuss. A decrease in temperature of 3.2 °C was detected in Riyadh. However, RH and VP showed an oscillation that we explain taking into account a similar effect reported in other eclipses. We measured a time lag of about 15 min from the eclipse central phase in the city. Related fluctuations and dynamics from the computed rates of the temporal variation of temperature and RH are scrutinized. Furthermore, an overdue significant review of terrestrial atmospheric parameters is also offered in the context of the eclipse meteorology, particularly related to desert atmospheres. We also try to identify the influence of solar eclipses in similar environments doing a broad inter-comparison with other observations of these variables in the Near East, northern Africa, and in the United States. These inter-comparisons reveal how complex and dissimilar the response of the lower atmosphere to a solar eclipse can be within a desert environment and other similar environments.

Maya records of planetary conjunctions in Dresden Codex

Old Mayas designed a very complicated calendar, and they also recorded important historical events and astronomical phenomena. Dresden Codex (DC), one of the four preserved Mayan hieroglyphic literal legacies, contains many of these, covering the classical period of Maya history. The records of these events in DC are given in the so-called Long Count (LC), the number of days elapsed from the origin of Maya chronology. The difference between LC and Julian Date, used in today's astronomy, is traditionally called correlation. More than fifty different values of the correlation have been published so far, and the differences among them can reach up to several centuries. The value, mostly accepted by Maya historians, is the one by Goodman-Mart?ez-Thompson (GMT), equal to 584 283 days. It is based mostly on events extracted from sources of the post-classical period of Maya history. Brothers B?hm used Maya astronomical records to derive the B?hm correlation (BB) of 622 261 days. It is in excellent agreement with the dates of astronomical phenomena recorded in DC. During past decades we published several papers supporting validity of the BB correlation. They are based on the records of different astronomical phenomena in DC and stelae, such as solar eclipses, planetary conjunctions, greatest elongations of Mercury and Venus from the Sun, or heliacal risings and settings. The present study is devoted to newly found recorded dates on page D74 of Dresden Codex. We were able to identify six of them with conjunctions of planets Venus through Saturn (corresponding to years 491, 495, 496, 501, 531, and 571), when BB correlation was applied.

Solar Eclipses and the Law

Solar Eclipses and the Law

Monitoring the electrical potential difference of pine tree

The subject of the study is the time series of the difference in electrical potentials along the trunk of a pine tree and the time series of meteorological and geomagnetic parameters consistent with them, measured by hardware and software complexes of the geophysical observatory "Petrozavodsk" and the Botanical Garden of Petrozavodsk State University in 2017-2022, as well as the time series of the K-index database global geomagnetic activity. The existence of characteristic regimes in the difference in electrical potentials of pine trees is shown, depending on the season, temperature, precipitation, humidity, determined by physical environmental factors and physiological processes in the tree. The reaction of the electrical potential difference of pine trees to meteorological parameters, thunderstorms, and space weather phenomena: magnetic storms and solar eclipses is analyzed. The results of these observations are qualitatively interpreted using known features of electric field of the Earth.

The Importance of Examples in the Philosophy of Carl Hempel

The purpose of the article is to analyze the meaning of examples in C. Hempel’s works. Hempel uses many examples referring to readings of magnetic hand, burning of white phosphorus, predictions of properties of some elements of the table of Mendeleev, to astrophysical hypotheses, terms of total solar eclipse, throwing of dice, as well as on unmarried men, on white and black swans, green mermaids, black crows and white shoes, blue roses, predictions of Jones’ recovery, the eruption of Vesuvius, the assassination of Julius Caesar, and other “special cases” and “concrete facts”. The question is raised as to whether the case studies are mere illustrative material, a form of argumentation; a way of verifying Hempel’s ideas, their “demonstrable confirmation”, and in this sense a definite empirical basis for the study. The necessity of analyzing concrete examples in the context of Hempel’s theoretical research is shown, for which the examples turn out to be an occasion for investigating the logic of confirmation and the logic of explanation, for analyzing the structures of explanans and explanandum, for understanding the differences in inductive and deductive logical constructions, and for analyzing “quasi-induction”. The paper discusses Hempel’s famous example, the crow paradox, which is named in his honor and is a kind of logical provocation.

Клинические случаи повреждений глаз физическими факторами

INTRODUCTION: Injuries of the organ of vision are the most severe cases of ophthalmopathy. This report describes clinical cases of eye damage by different physical factors (light emission of the Sun, light emission of a laser pointer, explosion of a firecracker) in everyday life. An eye damage by the light emission of the Sun may occur in observing a solar eclipse without means of eye protection. Clinical cases of solar retinopathy in three children aged 12–13 years who referred to an ophthalmologist in different periods after observation of a solar eclipse (2 days, a month, three months) are presented. The outcomes of the process: in early start of treatment, the function of the eye restored; in later stages, the visual acuity remained reduced, retinal edema and hyperemia of fovea persisted. A laser pointer widely used in everyday life, may cause damage to the macular zone of the retina in case a laser beam gets into an eye. We followed up two patients aged 12 and 30 years with retinal burn caused by direct looking into a laser beam. After the treatment, visual acuity remained impaired in both cases, the residual edema, redistribution of pigment, pigment epithelium destruction foci were observed in the retina. Incorrect use of safe pyrotechnics may result in a severe eye damage. We observed two cases of a severe contusion trauma of eyes caused by explosion of a firecracker. In one case (patient aged 45 years), a severe contusion with crush injury of the eyeball resulted in nucleation of eye; in another case (a child aged 15 years), there were a persistent impairment of visual acuity and hemorrhages into the retina. CONCLUSION: The possibility of eye damage by the described physical factors indicates the need for sanitary and educational work aimed at preventing these injuries, especially in children.

EARLY PLANNING FOR TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE EVENTS: FACTORS IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

One gorgeous natural event which attracts tourists to a destination is an eclipse. This paper is an initial attempt to investigate the effective factors for early planning in destinations for a total solar eclipse. A qualitative-quantitative methods (with exploratory factor analysis) were used. The results reveal seventeen effective factors and five variables such as management and planning at different levels; setting up a news agency website and social networks to increase the level of public awareness and advertising; local involvement; organizing local festivals in nearby villages and cities; and public involvement as the main factors in early planning in destinations for a total solar eclipse. The results also illustrate that there is correlation between the identified variables. Eclipse events in a short period of time attract numerous tourists to a destination, and this is a form of mass tourism. Therefore, early management of the event plays an axial role in the sustainable development of the region.

Solar Eclipses and the Origins of Critical Thinking and Complexity

Abstract This paper relates curiosity to economic development through its impact on human capital formation and technological advancement in pre-modern times. More specifically, we propose that exposure to inexplicable phenomena prompts curiosity and thinking in an attempt to comprehend these mysteries, thus raising human capital and technology, and, ultimately, fostering growth. We focus on solar eclipses as one particular trigger of curiosity and empirically establish a robust relationship between their number and several proxies of economic prosperity. We also offer evidence compatible with the human capital and technological increases we postulate, finding a more intricate thinking process and more developed technology among societies more exposed to solar eclipses. Among other factors, we study the development of written language, the playing of strategy games and the accuracy of folkloric explanations for eclipses, as well as the number of tasks undertaken in a society, their relative complexity and broad technological indicators. Lastly, we document rising curiosity both at the social and individual levels: societies incorporate more terms related to curiosity and eclipses in their folklore, and people who observed a total solar eclipse during their childhood were more likely to have entered a scientific occupation.

Examining the effects of a pre-noon annular Solar Eclipse on equatorial electrodynamics: Evidence for a subsequent post-noon enhancement in plasma density

On 26 December 2019, an annular solar eclipse occurred in the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, which falls within the Equatorial ElectroJet (EEJ) region. This presented an opportunity to study the effects of a high-obscuration annular solar eclipse (93.3%) and of the special tides that accompany an eclipse. Eclipses are known to affect the electrodynamics of the equatorial region and the distribution of plasma in the low-latitude ionosphere. On December 26, 2019, different phenomena were indeed seen over different time scales. Around the time of the eclipse, there was a depletion in the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere, as inferred from GNSS receiver systems placed along the eclipse path in and around the EEJ region. Magnetometer measurements indicated a weakening of the EEJ current in this area not just when the eclipse took place but for the rest of the day as well. Observations from a digital-ionosonde located in Trivandrum (8.52°N, 76.94°E; 0.33°N dip-latitude) revealed that the ionospheric F-layer moved downwards just after obscurity maximum. Shortly after the F region was observed to move back upward, a one-hour long strong blanketing sporadic E-layer was triggered even though there was only a weakening of the EEJ but no reversal in the associated magnetic perturbations. Simulations from our quasi-two dimensional model clearly show that though there was no Counter Electrojet, there was indeed a weakening of the zonal field on 26 December 2019 during the eclipse and the post-eclipse period. The overall weakening trend lasted until late afternoon. Other notable features were uncovered on a time scale of several hours after the passage of the eclipse. While the day-long weakening of the EEJ is consistent with special tides related to the lunar trajectory, we also observed unusually large amplitude undulations in both vertical-TEC and F2-region peak plasma density over a five-hour time scale, starting around 2:00 PM LT. These undulations were consistent with the zonal electric field variations reconstructed from the magnetometer data.

Substorms and Solar Eclipses: A Mutual Information Based Study

AbstractSolar eclipses present a rare glimpse into the impact of ionospheric electrodynamics on the magnetosphere independent of other well studied seasonal influences. Despite decades of study, we still do not have a complete description of the conditions for geomagnetic substorm onset. We present herein a mutual information based study of previously published substorm onsets and the past two decades of eclipses which indicates the likelihood of co‐occurrence is greater than random chance. A plausible interpretation for this relation suggests that the abrupt fluctuations in ionospheric conductivity during an eclipse may influence the magnetospheric preconditions of substorm initiation. While the mechanism remains unclear, this study presents strong evidence of a link between substorm onset and solar eclipses.

Effectiveness of Dry Lab Based Augmented Reality to Overcome the Misconceptions of Students on Solar System and Eclipse Learning Topics

In science learning there are many important concepts that must be understood. The solar system is a complex and abstract material because it cannot be seen directly by human senses resulting in students experiencing misconceptions. Interactive learning media is needed to help students understand concepts. One of the learning media that can be applied is augmented reality based on dry lab simulation. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of using Dry Lab simulation to overcome misconceptions of earth and solar system material in junior high school. This research uses experimental research methods with Pre-experimental research models. The overall research results, the average effectiveness was 45.16%, which showed less effective results. Partially for the two sub-concepts of planets and solar and lunar eclipses, the average effectiveness is 65.5%, which shows that the dry lab simulation is effective in changing students' misconceptions

Response of the mid-latitude ionosphere to the solar eclipse on 25 October 2022: Results of F2–layer vertical sounding

The results of observations of the critical frequency (foF2), ionospheric F2 peak electron density (NmF2) and peak height (hmF2) of the ionosphere over Kharkiv (Ukraine, 49.6° N, 36.3° E) during a partial solar eclipse (SE) on 25 October 2022 are presented. The data analysis showed a clear effect in the variations of foF2 (and, accordingly, NmF2): during the SE, foF2 decreased, and 5 min after the time of maximum eclipse, began to increase to its usual level. From the beginning of the SE, hmF2 decreased from 285 to 255 km, and then it began to grow with a maximum near the time of maximum obscuration. To study longitudinal effects and clarify contributions of different factors to the observed temporal variations of the ionospheric parameters, the results of observations of the ionosphere over Kharkiv were compared with the data obtained by the ionosonde in Pruhonice (Czech Republic, 50.0° N, 14.6° E). The NmF2 electron density decreased due to SE by the factor of 1.46 in Kharkiv, in contrast to 1.33 times in Pruhonice. Comparison of data in universal time (UT) showed a coincidence in the nature and time of fluctuations in both foF2 and hmF2 observed in Kharkiv and Pruhonice on 25 October. Variations in hmF2 caused by SE in Kharkiv and Pruhonice were identical. The SE was accompanied by a plasma flow from the plasmasphere to the ionosphere. The flux density change was about –2 × 1013 m–2s−1 and about 0 for Kharkiv and Pruhonice, respectively. The obtained value of the vertical velocity (tens of meters per second) for Kharkiv is the typical velocity for the mid-latitude F2 layer of the ionosphere. It was confirmed that in addition to typical SE effects, results of observations of the ionosphere over Kharkiv on October 25, 2022 had individual features.

The Responses of Ozone to the Solar Eclipse on the 21st of June 2020 in the Mesosphere and Upper Stratosphere

Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) observations showed an obvious variation of ozone concentration during the annular solar eclipse on 21 June 2020 in the mesosphere and upper stratosphere. Ozone concentration slightly reduced near 40 km in the regions of 24°N–36°N, and increased in low latitudes at 40 km. In the heights of 45–60 km, the increase in ozone concentration in most of the regions was obvious. The ozone increases and decreases were more obvious between 60–65 km, where enhancement took the leading role. The nighttime ozone variation was weaker than the daytime in most of the heights of 30–65 km. The variation of HO2 and CO is investigated to study the photochemical and dynamical causes of ozone variation. As HO2 decreased at 1 hPa and increased at 60–65 km, ozone variation shows a mostly reversed relationship to HO2 variation. CO increased at 32–39 km and decreased at 52–60 km, which was related to the upwelling at these heights. The dynamic processes also contributed to the decrease in ozone concentration at 40 km and increase at 50–60 km.