On October 14, a ring-shaped solar eclipse occurred in the skies over North, Central, and South America, accompanied by some strange effects. American astronomer Tyler Nordgren stated that this is one of the most unnatural natural phenomena.
Strange Phenomena During the Solar Eclipse
1. Baily’s Beads
Observers of a total or annular solar eclipse (safely, with appropriate eye protection) may notice a piece of light around the edge of the moon appearing like beads, resembling a necklace. This phenomenon is called “Baily’s Beads,” named after astronomer Francis Baily, who described this effect in 1836 when sunlight interacts with the moon’s uneven terrain.
(Image: Jamie Cooper / Contributor to Getty Images).
2. Solar Prominences
Solar prominences, also known as solar filaments, are gigantic magnetic and plasma structures that originate from the sun’s surface. Typically, these bulging masses are not visible from Earth. However, during an eclipse, they can be seen behind the moon, resembling petals on a flower. Note: Always wear eclipse glasses to protect your eyes.
3. Significant Temperature Drop
(Image: Getty Images)
Be sure to bring a jacket when viewing the eclipse, as temperatures can drop rapidly when the moon obscures the sun, decreasing by approximately 2.8 to 5.6 degrees Celsius during a total eclipse, although the drop can be greater.
4. Change in Wind Direction
Along with the temperature drop, areas experiencing the eclipse may see a change in wind direction. Initially, the wind gradually decreases as the moon approaches the point of obscuring the sun. A 2016 study showed that after the moon reaches its maximum coverage, winds begin to pick up again and typically blow in a different direction.
5. Animal Panic
During an eclipse, the sky suddenly darkens in the middle of the day, causing many animal species to panic. For example, cicadas and crickets may chirp as if it were nighttime. Cows and horses might go to sleep earlier than usual, while seagulls frantically fly back to their nests.
6. Radio Wave Disturbances
Ham operator Louis Breyfogle monitoring messages from the Echo I satellite. (Image: Carl Iwasaki, Getty Images)
Both total and annular solar eclipses disrupt certain radio frequencies, and no one knows why. Scientists suspect it may relate to how the sun interacts with Earth’s ionosphere, which is known to fluctuate in response to sunlight and solar storms. The recent eclipse and the upcoming one (April 8, 2024) have radio enthusiasts across North America excited to collect data on how eclipses disrupt radio transmissions.
7. Microbial Disruption
Microorganisms may also be sensitive to the strange vibrations of an eclipse. A 2011 study on bacteria grown in a lab during a total solar eclipse in India found that the bacteria became smaller and changed shape as the eclipse neared its peak.
8. Strange Shadows
When an eclipse occurs, most people are focused on the sky, often overlooking its shadows. The shadows of trees and objects during an eclipse create a “pinhole” effect with small crescent-shaped patterns. At the peak of the recent annular eclipse, one could see beautiful small rings of light everywhere.
9. Mysterious Shadow Bands
(Image: masa44, Getty Images)
A few seconds before a total solar eclipse, wavy light and dark bands may appear on uniformly colored surfaces. These “shadow bands” remain a scientific mystery, and scientists are still unsure about their exact cause or why they appear only occasionally. Some scientists hypothesize that these bands may be the manifestation of wave distortion in Earth’s atmosphere.
10. Visibility of Stars and Planets (During Total Solar Eclipse)
During a total solar eclipse, the moon completely blocks sunlight, allowing stars and planets to become visible in the sky. However, only the brightest of these can be seen, and their visibility depends on Earth’s position at that time. For instance, during next year’s total solar eclipse, you may see Venus and Jupiter.
