A total solar eclipse has no harmful effect on the livelihood of people. Discard the myths and superstitions about it. Some ancient cultures and traditions see the occurrence as bad omens. Well, I think science is trying to prove them wrong.
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According to Wikipedia, a total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the view of the Sun from a small part of the Earth, totally or partially. In simple terms, it means the moon obstructs the sun during the daytime plunging some parts of the world into unusual darkness.
The alignment of the moon passing between the Earth and the Sun happens every six months with sometimes no visible impact. But there is visible darkness during the daytime when it is a total eclipse. Eclipses occur on an average of eighteen months. The last total solar eclipse was on August 21, 2017. Eclipses are of four types namely- partial, annular, total, and lunar. In a total eclipse, the moon covers the whole Sun’s disk. In the case of a partial eclipse, the moon only covers part of the Sun’s disk.
The effects of a total solar eclipse
A total solar eclipse has no harmful effect on the livelihood of people. Discard the myths and superstitions about it. Some ancient cultures and traditions see the occurrence as bad omens. Well, I think science is trying to prove them wrong. But these are the atmospheric and climatic effects of the total solar eclipse gathered from the All About Space Magazine.
- There would be a visible amount of darkness during the daytime when the total solar eclipse. This would last an average of 7 minutes. There also would be shadow bands which would be visible on the ground buildings in the path of the eclipse. Shadow bands are alternating light and dark bands associated with solar eclipse.
2. Colors might start to look different. This is a result of the natural shift in color perfection. Let us jog our memory back to elementary science where we learned that colors are gotten from the refraction of light. Once the sun is blocked by the moon, there would be a fluctuating light level. This would affect the way colors are seen. Bright colors would become dim while dull colors would become bright. Everything would ‘look almost alien’.
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3. Animals would act differently. It is said that animals are closer to nature than humans are. The dimming of the sun’s light could prompt the release of hormones related to the sleeping and waking cycles in animals. That is, your pet dog might sleep in the afternoon thinking it is dusk! This happens because animal behavior keeps track of a ‘circadian rhythm’.
4. Human behavior will witness a change, and people will get emotional. Humans will have emotional responses to the wonder of the total eclipse. Some would find more meaning in living. Others might get all lovey-dovey with their partners.
5. The temperature will witness a little drop as 2.8 degrees Celsius or as much as 5.8 degrees Celsius. There would also be a sudden drop in wind speed as the moon covers the sun.
Why people living in Nigeria might not get to see this natural phenomenon
P.S. In viewing the total solar eclipse, it is advisable not to stare at the sun directly even if it might be dim. Use special eclipse glasses and other tailored instruments meant to suit the situation.
According to NASA reports, the totality will be seen from Mexico’s Pacific Coast around 11:07 am. PT then to the U.S. and into Canada. Most cities in the U.S. fall within the total eclipse’s path. The eclipse will last for two and a half hours across different locations but the total eclipse will last for only four minutes and 28 seconds in Nazas, Durango, Mexico.
Nigerians in Nigeria might not witness the effect of the total eclipse like those cities that fall in the total eclipse’s path. It is just like how you would not get to see a car pass by if you are not somewhere near the route the car is taking.
I am so sorry to burst the bubbles of most people in Nigeria anticipating it but we might just get to witness it as a partial eclipse. But if you are going to view it, make sure you wear sunscreen to protect you from the UV rays of the sun. Also, there will be a live stream from NASA for countries that do not fall in the total eclipse path.
This event is predicted to start around 11:07 am. PT which is 8:07 pm. WAT. This is another reason the total solar eclipse will not be visible in Nigeria. But set your timers and keep close tabs on the live stream and get to witness this beautiful natural phenomenon.
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