printSolar eclipse
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partially obscuring Earth's view of the Sun.
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Solar eclipse and health
According to NASA, there is no evidence that eclipses have any physical effect on humans. However, eclipses have always been capable of producing profound psychological effects.
- Do not attempt to observe the partial or annular phases of any eclipse with the naked eye. Failure to use appropriate filtration may result in permanent eye damage or blindness!
- It is generally said that pregnant women should relax in a bed if possible during an eclipse. It is wise, to ensure proper care of a pregnant women during an eclipse as science has discovered that people who hurt themselves by way of a cut or a fracture, during an eclipse take a longer to heal as the blood flow seems to be more during that time than at any other time.
What can I do?
The safest and most inexpensive method to observe the phenomena is by indirect projection, in which a pinhole or small opening is used to cast the image of the Sun on a screen placed a half-meter or more beyond the opening.
The Sun can be viewed directly only when using filters specifically designed for this purpose. Such filters usually have a thin layer of aluminum, chromium or silver deposited on their surfaces that attenuates ultraviolet, visible, and infrared energy.
The use of color films, non-silver black and white film, medical X-ray films should never be used for viewing the eclipse due to potential hazard from infra red rays. The fact that the Sun appears dark in a filter or that you feel no discomfort does not guarantee that your eyes are safe.
CopperBytes
- In any given location on Earth, a total solar eclipse happens only once every 360 years.
- Local animals and birds often prepare for sleep or behave confusedly during a total solar eclipse.
- Shadow bands are often seen on the ground as totality approaches.
- The longest duration for a total solar eclipse is 7.5 minutes.
- Only partial solar eclipses can be observed from the North and South Poles.
- Nearly identical eclipses (partial, annular or total) occur after 18 years and 11 days.
- Light filtering through leaves on trees casts crescent shadows as totality approaches.
- Eclipse shadows travel at 1,100 miles (1,770 kilometers) per hour at the equator and up to 5,000 miles (8,046 kilometers) per hour near the poles.
- The width of the path of totality is at most 167 miles (269 kilometers) wide.
- Total solar eclipses happen about once every 1.5 years.
- Local temperatures often drop 20 degrees or more near totality.
