Later today, many people in North America, from Mexico to Canada, will experience a total solar eclipse – an event that won’t be visible in parts of the United States for at least two decades, and in some states for hundreds of years to come.
About plants and animals
Many are fascinated by events that take place upstairs. But how do these celestial events affect plants and animals that depend on the sun’s patterns of daylight and darkness? Animal biologists have studied animal behavior during partial and total solar eclipses. While some walk around, swarm or appear motionless, others – even domesticated animals – begin their nightly routines or behaviors, such as singing songs, removing webs or retreating to their shelters – as darkness begins. Plants have also exhibited unique behaviors during solar eclipses, such as closing their flowers or adjusting sap flow.
Because eclipses are not ordinary events, scientists often rely on like-minded community members to collect data. Become a citizen scientist and help NASA collect information about the effects of the solar eclipse on plants and animals in your region. Visit NASA’s Eclipse Soundscapes project learn more.
About people
Although the behavior of plants and animals can be observed, there are many theories about how the eclipse affects people. Some claim it affects the brain or circadian rhythm. Although no physical effects have been proven, one thing is certain: there is an energy exchange taking place during the solar eclipse. Consider the factors that must align for a person on Earth to see a total solar eclipse in a certain place and at a certain time. It must be a New Moon, the moon and Earth must be in the same orbital plane as the sun, and the person must be in the exact location where the total solar eclipse is visible.
Human and universal energies
Regardless of the location of the sun and the celestial events that take place, humans are part of the universe and therefore are affected by its changes every second of the day. Nuclear fusion takes place deep in the sun, where subatomic particles called neutrinos are formed. These neutral particles, known to scientists as ghost particles, were also formed during the Big Bang in the formation of the universe, and continue to form in black holes and during supernova events or the explosion of stars.
These neutrinos are hurtling towards Earth at all times of the day. According to Smithsonian Magazine, “approximately 100 trillion neutrinos pass through our bodies every second.” NASA continues: “Every second, your body is pelted by trillions of these neutrinos, regardless of whether the sun is above or below the horizon. The only consequence is that every few minutes a few atoms in your body are converted into a different isotope by absorbing a neutrino. This is a completely harmless effect.”
Harmless, but incredible. Think of all our bodies digesting and absorbing every day. You are part of the sun, the moon, the stars and all the invisible particles in our universe. Elements that are part of the Universal creation continually flow through your body and that of other living beings. Can you feel that power?
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Discover more about our infinite connection to the Universal in this post, We Are Made From Stars.
Find out more about the upcoming solar eclipse by reading TCM Tips for the Total Solar Eclipse.