Past & Present Events Related to a Total Solar Eclipse

Stages of a Solar EclipsePhoto byIan ParkeronUnsplash

Many are wondering what might happen during next week's solar eclipse.

A total solar eclipse will occur across North and South America on April 8. Although viewing in its totality will only be possible along a narrow path that encompasses parts of 14 states, some percentage of the phenomenon will be visible throughout both continents. Many have plans to do a bit of eclipse chasing to experience this solar eclipse firsthand.

Throughout history, the occurrence of a total solar eclipse has been met with fascination. Considered an omen by some cultures, they have been both feared and revered while providing insights into the workings of the cosmos. In Ancient China, it was believed that a celestial dragon devoured the sun during an eclipse. People banged drums and pots and shot arrows into the sky to frighten the dragon away and restore the daylight.

The question today is how does an eclipse affect what happens on Earth? Here are two notable events from history when it was believed that a solar eclipse had some kind of effect on an outcome.

585 BCE - The Eclipse that Ended a War

In 585 BCE, the kingdoms of Lydia and Media had been fighting for six years without much progress. On May 28, a total solar eclipse happened during a battle along the Halys River. Seeing the eclipse as an omen, the warring armies dropped their weapons, called a truce, and sealed the peace with a royal wedding between the son and daughter of the opposing leaders.

1868 - The Discovery of Helium

Mistakenly believing that the sun's spectrum could only be observed during an eclipse, scientists had been anxiously awaiting one since 1859, in order to study the bright red flames that appeared to shoot out from the sun. When a solar eclipse finally arrived in 1968, French astronomer Pierre Janssen used a prism instrument called a spectroscope to study it.

Janssen determined that the line of yellow light emitting from the sun that had been assumed to be sodium had a wavelength that didn't match up with any known element. He was inspired to build the first spectrohelioscope specifically designed to examine the spectrum of the sun at any time, not just during an eclipse.

Simultaneously, English astronomer Joseph Lockyer was having success studying solar prominences during regular daylight. Comparing notes, it was learned that the two men were sighting helium for the first time.

What Might Happen in 2024

Many have predicted that the total solar eclipse on April 8 will bring about change. Most of that change has to do with temporary disruptions in technology. Peace on Earth right now would not be a bad thing.

A rare "Devil Comet" is expected to appear during the eclipse. This fiery green comet orbits our Sun every 71 years. It won't come around again until 2095. The next total solar eclipse will happen in 2045.

What are your predictions and hopes for this year's total solar eclipse. Let us know in the comments section.