The Significance Of Solar Eclipse In Science

Topics:
Words:
440
Page:
1
This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples.

Cite this essay cite-image

As a tremendous natural phenomenon, solar eclipse holds great significance in many scientific approaches. Normally, Sun, the most efficient energy source for the whole solar system, emits light that is too powerful and therefore blocks light reflected from other stars nearby, nor corona, the outermost layer of the Sun, can be observed with enough details.[footnoteRef:1] However, as the Moon blocks most sunlight during the solar eclipse, scientists can obtain more exact data about the celestial bodies then. [1: Aschwanden, M. J. (2004). Physics of the Solar Corona. An Introduction. Praxis Publishing. ISBN 978-3-540-22321-4.]

During the solar eclipse in 1868, physicist Jules Janssen and astronomer Joseph Norman Lockyer observed and examined the light coming from the more inner layer of the Sun than corona, which cannot be observed in usual days.[footnoteRef:2] After analyzing the characteristics of the light, they independently discovered a new element which Norman named “helium”.[footnoteRef:3] [2: ^ Kochhar, R. K. (1991). 'French astronomers in India during the 17th – 19th centuries'. Journal of the British Astronomical Association. 101 (2): 95–100. Bibcode:1991JBAA..101...95K.] [3: ^ Thomson, William (August 3, 1871). 'Inaugural Address of Sir William Thomson'. Nature. 4 (92): 261–278 [268]. Bibcode:1871Natur...4..261.. doi:10.1038/004261a0. PMC 2070380. Frankland and Lockyer find the yellow prominences to give a very decided bright line not far from D, but hitherto not identified with any terrestrial flame. It seems to indicate a new substance, which they propose to call Helium]

Save your time!
We can take care of your essay
  • Proper editing and formatting
  • Free revision, title page, and bibliography
  • Flexible prices and money-back guarantee
Place an order
document

The famous Theory of Relativity by Albert Einstein also found its strong proof during the solar eclipse on May 29, 1919, when the light from the star behind the Sun was detected( see in Fig5) This enabled scientists to determine whether the starlight is deflected by the Sun’s gravity as stated in Relativity Theory by comparing the calculated positions of the star before the Sun reached the position in the sky and during the eclipse.[footnoteRef:4] [4: “Testing General Relativity.” NASA, NASA, eclipse2017.nasa.gov/testing-general-relativity.]

Solar eclipse also helps historians in dating important historical events. Since solar eclipse is a tremendous and predicable phenomenon, researchers can compare the descriptions of it in written records and the scientifically calculated time and site where the eclipse happened to narrow down the when and where of certain past events.

The record of a solar eclipse appears in the writing piece of Herodotus, a Greek historian, before the Persian invasion of Greece, which had been estimated to occur around 480 BCE. A modern astronomer found that the area would have seen the eclipse on Feb. 17, 478 BCE, which helps approaching to the timing of the invasion.[footnoteRef:5] [5: Redd, Nola Taylor. “Here's What Scientists Have Learned From Total Solar Eclipses.” Space.com, Space Created with Sketch. Space, 17 May 2017, www.space.com/36785-solar-eclipse-science-throughout-history.html.]

Make sure you submit a unique essay

Our writers will provide you with an essay sample written from scratch: any topic, any deadline, any instructions.

Cite this paper

The Significance Of Solar Eclipse In Science. (2022, February 21). Edubirdie. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://edubirdie.com/examples/the-significance-of-solar-eclipse-in-science/
“The Significance Of Solar Eclipse In Science.” Edubirdie, 21 Feb. 2022, edubirdie.com/examples/the-significance-of-solar-eclipse-in-science/
The Significance Of Solar Eclipse In Science. [online]. Available at: <https://edubirdie.com/examples/the-significance-of-solar-eclipse-in-science/> [Accessed 2 Nov. 2024].
The Significance Of Solar Eclipse In Science [Internet]. Edubirdie. 2022 Feb 21 [cited 2024 Nov 2]. Available from: https://edubirdie.com/examples/the-significance-of-solar-eclipse-in-science/
copy

Join our 150k of happy users

  • Get original paper written according to your instructions
  • Save time for what matters most
Place an order

Fair Use Policy

EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Should you have any questions regarding our Fair Use Policy or become aware of any violations, please do not hesitate to contact us via support@edubirdie.com.

Check it out!
close
search Stuck on your essay?

We are here 24/7 to write your paper in as fast as 3 hours.