3 well-known solar eclipses from history
We all know what a solar eclipse is, right? It is a celestial phenomenon that occurs when the Moon is in between the Earth and the Sun, thus completely or partially blocking the Sun’s image as witnessed from the Earth. Now, there are two kinds of solar eclipses. One of them is a total solar eclipse which occurs when the Moon’s apparent diameter precedes the Sun’s, obscuring all direct sunlight and turning daytime into darkness. The other one is a partial solar eclipse which happens when the Moon passes between the planet and its star but none of them are perfectly lined up. In this case, a part of the Sun keeps appearing and disappearing for a particular duration. But today, on 20th April 2023, something called a hybrid solar eclipse is awaited. This rare type of solar eclipse takes place when the Moon’s shadow keeps moving across the Earth’s surface and only a thin outer disc of the Sun can be seen around the Moon, almost like that of a surrounding ring, called “ring of fire” in astronomy. While Indians can’t see the solar eclipse live, they can live stream it on various YouTube channels. However, people in Australia, Indonesia and East Timor will be able to witness the spectacle in person. It will be mostly visible from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean over the mid-waters. Talking about solar eclipse made us wonder about few of the most popular solar eclipses in history. Come, let us take a look at them.
Great American Total Solar Eclipse
On 21st August 2017, the whole of USA experienced a total solar eclipse, often dubbed as the Great American Eclipse. It was the first solar eclipse in the country’s long history to stretch throughout, from the Pacific to the Atlantic coasts, covering all 50 states. Moreover, it was the first solar eclipse of 21st century in the USA, and also the one appearing after more than four decades. During this eclipse, a fascinating 70-mile-wide shadow was cast by the moon and darkened the skies for almost 3 minutes. What was more surprising was the fact that total solar eclipses usually fall over water or remote areas of the planet. However, this was the first in history that fell completely over a country and its adjacent regions such as southern Canada and northern South America. It was also partially visible in north-western Europe, parts of Africa and north-eastern Asia.
Ugarit Eclipse
In 1948, archaeologists unearthed a clay tablet from Ugarit, a port city in modern-day Northern Syria that was once part of ancient Mesopotamian civilisation. This tablet initially revealed that one of the earliest solar eclipses happened in Ugarit on 3rd May 1375 BC. However, later after further analysis, it was found out in 1989 that the eclipse actually occurred on 5th March 1223 BC for a duration of 2 minutes 7 seconds and it was partial in nature. This was revealed after carbon dating of the tablet, the text on which divulged two other pieces of information. First, the planet Mars was visible during the eclipse and the fact that Mesopotamians deemed the event as the Sun being “put to shame” by the Moon, for its excessive heat.
King Henry’s Eclipse
The death of King Henry I of England (the son and successor of William the Conqueror) in 1135 AD coincided with a total solar eclipse that lasted 4 minutes and 38 seconds and covered major parts of the country during mourning. In fact, legends have it that the Sun was also grieving for King Henry’s passing and so showed his condolence through a “hideous darkness” as mentioned in the 12th century manuscript Historia Novella penned by British philosopher Willian of Malmsbury. However, history reveals that the event further disturbed the minds and hearts of the commoners and the country went into a state of chaos (eventually civil war) thanks to the game of thrones going on. In fact, the famous Anglo-Saxon Chronicle recounts the eclipse in the following manner. King Henry had travelled to Normandy, France where he fell ill. So, he was put on a homeward ship where he lay in care of his crew. On the second day, the sun disappeared during the afternoon making their voyage come to a standstill. Afraid that the king will succumb in foreign waters, the entire crew prayed for the Sun to reappear and the eclipse to come later. And that is exactly what happened. They reached England the following day and the king passed within a few hours following the St. Andrew’s Mass-day on 2nd December in his own royal bed.