In the universe, something is always happening. Planets and satellites lead a whimsical dance, the Earth rotates around the Sun and the Moon travels around the Earth. From time to time, earthlings observe lunar and solar eclipses, when the luminaries line up and block each other. People tend to believe that such events have a special, mystical meaning – perhaps, not without reason.
Night in Broad Daylight
In any year, there are from two to five solar eclipses; five happens very rarely. The last time this was recorded was in 1935 and a repeat is not expected for another 188 years – in 2206.
The eclipse of the Sun happens on a New Moon, when the visible side of the Moon is not illuminated. Moon shadow is a round black spot (about 250 km in diameter) rushing along the surface of our planet, at a speed of 1 kilometre per second. This can be observed by astronauts in orbit. You can see a total solar eclipse from the Earth only while in a narrow shadow strip.
Once in 200-300 years, the night comes twice! The day suddenly turns pale and the stars appear in the darkening sky. Coolness descends and the birds are silent and nervous. Other animals are looking for shelter.
Thanks to science, the primitive fear of a solar eclipse has changed to interest and admiration. The nervous excitement experienced today by lucky people who observe this most interesting phenomenon is explained more by the unusual nature of the situation than by some other impact on a person. History, however, has the facts, when significant events for earthlings coincided with episodes of solar eclipses.
Crucified, He showed many signs (Tertullian, circa 165-230).
The sun faded when Jesus, crucified on the cross, died. In the Gospels of Luke and Mark, darkness is described, from the sixth hour to the ninth hour. According to Matthew, “The earth shook and the stones scattered.” An eclipse was followed by an earthquake, which was perceived as an omen of shed blood and news of the Saviour.
The enemy was not attacked in time … (“The Lay of Igor’s Host”)
The unknown author of “The Lay of Igor’s Host” witnessed the eclipse of the Sun on May 1, 1185. As reported in the Ipatiev Chronicle, Prince Igor, going on a campaign against the Polovtsians, saw the sun “standing like a month”. It was on the banks of the Donets, where the Russian squad assembled. Warned the boyars, “Oh, unkind sign!”, but the prince did not cancel the campaign, for which he paid a price of defeat and captivity.