Next month, a total solar eclipse will briefly plunge the South Pacific, Chile and Argentina into darkness, but how will wildlife react to this astronomical event?
There is no more powerful nor more fleeting a sight in nature than a total eclipse of the sun. For humans standing in exactly the right place, this is the only time when the sun’s outer atmosphere, the ice-white corona, can be seen with the naked eye. It can be an amazing, emotional spectacle, but how do animals and insects experience it?
On 2 July 2019, a total solar eclipse will plunge a 145–193km track of the South Pacific, northern Chile and Argentina into blackness for just over two minutes. Witnesses to the rapidly darkening landscape during a total solar eclipse have always observed wildlife, though, mostly, it’s been anecdotal. As the sky turns twilightlike, stories abound of birds going to roost, dairy cows returning to the barn, croaking frogs, flying bats and crickets making a cacophony of noise. Such reactions suggest a change in behaviour but, until recently, there’s been little measurable science. That all changed on 21 August 2017 when a total solar eclipse swooped across the USA. It was a rare chance to study the effect of totality (when the sun is obscured) across a large landmass and, since the USA has much advanced and consistent weather and radar data, scientists had far more information than usual, to help them design their studies.
Back to black
An eclipse is not like a sunrise or sunset, which occur before and after prolonged twilight. A total solar eclipse – which takes place roughly once every 16 months – brings sudden darkness, along with reduced temperature and wind speed. The profound gloom lasts as little as a few seconds and as long as seven and a half minutes – depending on the observer’s exact location – but it’s often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for researchers to see how their chosen field of study is affected by the event.
This story is from the June 2019 edition of BBC Wildlife.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2019 edition of BBC Wildlife.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ALL YOU EVER NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT THE Giant panda
Cuddly-looking with highly distinctive black-and-white fur and dark ‘spectacles’, the giant panda – often referred to simply as the panda – is an undeniably popular and much-loved bear, both the national animal of China and, of course, the iconic logo of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
CRUISE CONTROL
As more people are drawn to experience the frozen frontiers, can tourism to the seventh continent be a good thing for nature?
COWS COME HOME
Tauros are the closest thing to the extinct aurochs. And they are coming to the UK.
BIG LITTLE JOURNEYS
A closer look at the smallbut-mighty animals that must travel vast distances to survive
MOUNTAIN MISSION
Canada lynx and wolverines are secretive creatures, but dedicated scientists in Montana are tracking them to inform conservation
LET'S GET TOGETHER - ROOSTING PIED WAGTAILS
Remember to look up this Christmas to enjoy gangs of pied wags' gathered in the trees
FEMALE OF THE SPECIES - REINDEER
Lucy Cooke explains why the females of this Christmas icon have antlers too
Ancient woodland still at risk from HS2
Scrapping the northern phase has spared some sites, but woodlands and reserves remain under threat
Ocean superheroes
Release of 10.000 oysters in North East England promises to improve water quality and marine life
MEET THE VOLUNTEER - Keith Dobell
The retiree cares for a park, an old railway track and a wood in his home county of Northamptonshire