When were solar eclipses? Total solar eclipses (years)

Imagine this picture. Ordinary day: the sun is at its zenith, shines brightly, warming passers-by, hurrying about their business. At first they do not notice how a defect appears on the disk of the luminary. But it increases, closing the star partially, and then completely. Now it's impossible to ignore an incomprehensible phenomenon: a black disk is visible in the sky, along the edges of which a small bezel glows. Night falls, stars appear. But it takes several minutes and everything returns to normal - the sun shines again, gradually freeing itself from the dark spot ...

The reaction of people to a solar eclipse

It is clear that in ancient times our ancestors feared such inexplicable phenomena. If they were afraid of a simple thunder with thunder or earthly vibrations, then what to say about the disappearance of the sun in the middle of a white day. They interpreted the solar eclipse as the wrath of higher forces. People in ancient times believed that in this way the Gods warned mankind about imminent terrible catastrophe. Even now, in the 21st century, when scientists have fully studied the mechanism of the natural phenomenon, we are still waiting for it with trembling and experience, linking the disappearance of the sun with something terrible and mystical.

At any time, when there were solar eclipses, doctors advised people to stay at home, rest, not to solve important issues. After all, on such days, increased anxiety, feelings of fear, depression or arousal are seen. Hypertension jumps pressure, people with cardiovascular problems also feel bad. A person can be weakened by nerves, he falls into a state of stupor. Skeptics say that all this is from self-hypnosis. But the opposite version shows another: when there were solar eclipses, gravitational pressure was observed on the Earth. As a result, it felt meteozavisimye and emotional people.

The mechanism of the natural phenomenon

The model of a solar eclipse is easy to describe to incompetent people. It starts from the right side of the luminary. The moon, which becomes one line with it, gradually closes its outlines. First, only a dark horn appears, then it expands, growing into a huge black disk.

In these seconds around the Sun you can observe the radiance, the so-called crown. This is the outer atmospheric layer, which is invisible on ordinary days because of its relatively small brightness against the background of the daytime sky. Almost every time this diadem is different: it varies depending on the solar activity. A pinkish ring appears over the horizon. It is formed as follows: in the area darkened by the Moon, light penetrates from other zones, where a complete but only partial eclipse is observed.

An interesting fact is that the size of the Moon is 400 times smaller than the Sun. At the same time, it is 400 times closer to the Earth than it is. Even cynics find in it some kind of mysticism and mystery.

Mythology

Without it, not to do, because all the inexplicable and mysterious for our ancestors immediately overgrown with legends and stories. When there were solar eclipses, the learned minds of that time took up the pen to describe this stunning and simultaneously frightening beauty. The pagans said that during the natural phenomenon, the battle of the Gods takes place. The Vietnamese believed that the Moon and the Sun are two goddess sisters who take care of people in turn. Their husband was a bear who demanded periodic fulfillment from the maidens of marital duty. He watched them, and when he overtook, the sun and lunar eclipses took place in the sky .

The ancient Germans claimed, the heavenly bodies are eaten by a wolf. And in order to scare him off, in the days of eclipses they created a lot of noise. The Egyptians believed that the day travel of the god Ra is interrupted when the serpent snakes out of the other world and swallows the boat. The deity fights against the monster and always prevails. And the Indians in Colombia and Mexico were inclined to believe that an eclipse is the witchcraft of evil demons. From their charms the luminaries fell ill. All these versions are interesting today, when we study the culture of ancient peoples. Mythology gives us a clear idea of the way of life of old people, their beliefs and beliefs.

The most famous solar eclipses

Historians have noticed that a total solar eclipse always warned about turning points. The most famous, of course, is that which marked the death of Christ. It is known that they crucified him on Friday afternoon. At this time from 6 to 9 pm the sun completely disappeared and a deep darkness came. This phenomenon in the gospel was described by Mark, Luke and Matvey. It was the beginning of a new life for humanity, which is still trying to atone for its sin.

At the same time, the very first eclipse that occurred in the human age occurred in China. It happened in 2134 BC. Previously, people did not encounter anything like that, so the sudden disappearance of the sun resulted in a strong panic in the country right up to mass riots. In Kievan Rus', too, a natural phenomenon predicted prince Igor an unsuccessful campaign. It appeared when the prince crossed the river Donets. Ignoring the bad sign, he was taken prisoner and was killed.

Another famous eclipse occurred in 1919 and completely changed the idea of physics, while confirming the theory of relativity of Einstein. The sun was not just 6 minutes. During this short time, British astronomer Arthur Eddington proved that bodies with strong gravity can distort time, space and light.

Solar eclipses in the history of Russia

They also influenced the events in our country. For example, the birth of Karl Marx, a man who indirectly changed the course of the history of the state, also accompanied a solar eclipse. Years later, historians have drawn a parallel: a famous politician and philosopher was born on May 5, 1818 in the German city of Trier. It was then that the sun completely disappeared in the sky. In Germany itself, this phenomenon passed unnoticed, but it was well seen by the inhabitants of Russia, especially St. Petersburg. In this, scientists see a certain mysticism, since it was in Russia that Marx's revolutionary ideas were tested in practice, and Peter became the center of three revolutions.

The solar eclipse in Russia in 1945 became a symbol of victory over fascism and a triumphal parade that occurred on June 24. By the way, a natural phenomenon was also observed on the eve of the testing of the nuclear bomb and the death of Princess Diana. All these events affected the humanity, forcing him to rethink life, and also greatly influenced many significant events in Russian and world history.

What to expect in 2015

Astronomers predict a strong solar eclipse, which will occur in the near future on the Faroe Islands. March 20, 2015, the solar disk completely disappears from the eyes of people. Only to observe this beauty can be either in the Faroe Islands, or in the Svalbard archipelago. This is about sushi. From the sea, the eclipse will be visible from the Atlantic Ocean and from the Arctic ice. Some partial phases will fall into the zone of visibility of Europeans, residents of the northern Arctic and western Russia. In our country, the best way to observe the disappearance of the sun will be in Murmansk at 13.18 local time.

Always, when there were solar eclipses, astronomers warned people not to look at them with the unaided eye. Otherwise, you can burn the retina of the eye. Going to see this amazing phenomenon next time, do not forget about elementary precautions. And then your impressions will remain truly colorful and those that are remembered for life.