Solar eclipse science: how the motions of the heavens affect events on Earth | Rebekah Higgitt
A total solar eclipse has always had the power to fascinate humans and affect the actions, purses, thoughts and knowledge of humans all over the world
While not in the ways claimed by astrologers, it can't be denied that the motions of the heavens sometimes have a strong influence on events on Earth. We can with confidence predict that a full solar eclipse, such as that visible across the USA and online today, will prompt unusual actions from large numbers of people, as well as peculiar animal behaviour and a dip in the generation of solar power, as the sun casts the moon's shadow over part of the Earth.
The influence of the 2017 solar eclipse has, indeed, been powerful enough to stretch back several years prior to today's event. Although it is simply the result of a particular and momentary alignment of the sun, Earth and moon, astronomy enthusiasts and science communicators have been preparing for years with newspaper articles, books, talks, exhibitions, events and merchandise.
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