The Sun and the Space Weather
An eclipse, is not only one of the best sights, but a unique chance to do research and test many of the scientific theories. Eclipses where the sole time appropriate for studying solar atmosphere (cromosphere and crown) before the arrival of satellites and coronagraphs.
On the cromosphere, research is conducted specially on its high temperatures (million of degrees) and on the great emission of radioactive energy. Part of this energy reachs Earth and strikes the magnetic field, which protects us from harmful solar shafts. This interaction causes auroras borealis or northern lights, as they are familiarly known.
In addition, the solar crown can also be studied. This helps us finding out about the Sun's activity. Studying it is of great significance because, during maximums, the energy that beats our atmosphere is much higher and it can damage satellites or disturb comunications. Knowing about those maximums on advance allows us to avoid it.
Rela tivity and Eclipses
Thanks to the eclipse on the 29 th of May the 1919 was verified Einstein's relativity theory, on which relay many of the things we use this days, as, for example, lasers. Lasers allow us to read CD's and DVD's.
For the experiment conducted during that eclipse, they watched stars set behind the Sun, which were seen lightly moved in relation to their real position, due to the effects of the sun gravity over their light.
This experiment is still undertaken during sun total eclipses, to obtain more accurate confirmations of the relativity theory.
History, science y climate
Eclipses are aswell used for historical dating, because many documents are found which make reference to eclipses. As the approximate dates of eclipses are known by scientific calculation, the date of historical important events near in time to this phenomeno can be pointed out.
Finally, the fall of temperature, due to the day turning quickly into night, and the increase of presure are also studied during the totality of eclipses. An odd phenomenon as well related to meteorology is, due to the difference of temperature between the area in shadow (totality area) and the area with light (partial eclipse area), the appearance of wind accompanying the totality.
This and other reasons are why eclipses are so expected by experts and scientists all over the world.
