Observing an Eclipse

In the history of astronomy, it’s been always a challenge to recognize the

periodicities or the prediction of eclipses throughout different time scales. We can

trace back the first eclipse records to about a thousand and five hundred years ago,

where it all started with the systematic observations or perturbations scientists

observed in Earth’s rotation; but it was the Greeks who discovered the Saros

period, also known as an “eclipse cycle” consisting of approximately 6,585.32 days

(18 years, 11 days and 8 hours) where eclipses seemed to repeat themselves,

making it easier to predict them. According to astronomers and some NASA

scientists, the facts that make up the occurrence of a total solar eclipse make it a

quite rare astronomical phenomenon. In addition, this also shows the importance

of maintaining observational records throughout time, and that’s why I’m

describing it. Over time, ancient solar eclipse inscriptions have contributed to a

better understanding of the variation of the Earth’s rotational speed and climate

change at different time scales. They have also provided information on different

methods of notation of numbers, types of calendars, and even demonstrating

nothing less than Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity. I find it very

interesting that astronomical phenomena like solar and lunar eclipses, solstices,

the occultation of bright stars and equinoxes seem to have influenced each and

every one of the artists and artisans of each era respectively. As a result these

phenomena have influenced art in all its shapes and colors, giving it the

opportunity to reach its full expression. Moreover, these rigorous discussions and

interest in art would not have survived without its enthusiastic youthful audience,

who followed aspects of these phenomena and welcomed any new information

provided.
 The result of the alignment of the sun, moon and earth gives rise to eclipses.

During this phenomenon, the day turns into night for a few minutes, and you can

even go blind if you are not cautious enough. This special astronomical event

known as a “solar eclipse” begins with a clear sky and the sun shining as it

normally does every day. Being unaware that it will soon be covered by the moon

forming a phenomenon that has been observed and studied for years by many

scientists and civilizations.

As the eclipse starts to happen you can finally see a tiny little part of the

moon partially beginning to set in front of the sun. This causes the daylight to

become dimmer and dimmer as the moon covers the sun. The sky gets darker as

the time goes by. The breathtaking feeling of experiencing a sunrise in the middle

of the afternoon and a sunset in the middle of the day starts to come out. I can

safely say that it is an explosion for all your senses and a total demonstration of the

captivating beauty of the universe. Just looking at the reactions of all the people

who are lucky enough to witness this event confirms my statement.

At this point, the celestial bodies are nowhere near being fully aligned.

Approximately ninety percent of the sun has now been covered by the moon.

Everyone is shocked by the darkness reflected by the moon even though it is in

front of the brightest star in the sky. The impressing thing here is that now the sun

is the one that looks like a toenail, and there is only one slight ray of light surviving

the eclipse. Our main event is completely taking place and no one can believe their

eyes. This is one of the very few opportunities where you can look directly into the

sun and notice how the sun's corona emanates such an ethereal and surreal glow.

Although the moon has totally covered the sun, it is not completely dark. Everyone
can still see the sky in the most appealing shade of blue and later on glimpses of

light blue as the sun recovers its natural light.

Last but not least, as the moon continues on its path it also brings back the

sun, and its now recovered glow slowly announces that the eclipse will soon be

over. Without a doubt, this event is one of those that leaves everyone speechless

and deeply grateful that the sun shines the way it does every day by all means. It

should be noted that on May 29, 1919, the most important total solar eclipse in

science occurred. According to British astronomer Arthur Eddington, known for

his groundbreaking research in astrophysics, this was the eclipse that allowed to

prove the light of distant stars bends when passing by the Sun. As well as

evidencing the fact that eclipses were a brilliant confirmation of the Theory of

Relativity.

Altogether, this rather complex and fast changing in time phenomenon we

call "eclipses" have represented a great deal for scientific development. By now

being able to understand climate change and small changes in the rotation speed of

earth we can prove it. Records of three or more celestial bodies positioned

approximately in a straight line in space also played a part in this. Furthermore, all

belief systems and manifestations of human activity coming from ancient

observatories have endured over time. In the same way, they have managed to

influence people as a unit bringing culture to a society that is growing day by day.