Learning from the 'Great American Eclipse'

A total solar eclipse is always exciting. So was the one on August 21, dubbed the “Great American Eclipse”. People sitting on the other side of the globe also had an opportunity to be virtual spectators. Almost all along the path of totality, elaborate arrangements had been made to provide live web cast or telecast of the event.

Nature provides such opportunities to all people on the globe once in a while. The last total eclipse in India was in July 2009 in the midst of the monsoon. But children were told to stay indoors and warned of dangerous “cosmic radiations” from the sun.

Varanasi was one of the few places offering the good show. All other places experienced only a pitch darkness, throwing the animal world into a state of nervous excitement. We were in Sanchi and it was a washout. However, we could see the peacocks and birds go into hiding and reappear as soon as the spell of darkness was over.

We had plans to go to Varanasi from Bhopal but had to abandon it for a very strange reason. The previous evening, the railway station saw a huge influx of people, all with only a small bag tucked to their waist. The platform was flooded with this sea of people -- the same platform from which we were to take the Varanasi train.

The train arrived but had another thousand inside already. It was impossible for us to even approach the train. The people on the platform pushed their way in – and they had come prepared to do so, with their minimum luggage and keeping both hands free! They were all heading to Varanasi for a holy dip after the eclipse.

Two days before the eclipse, on the way to Bhimbhetka, we saw large groups of pilgrims walking with a flag and chanting Bhajans. They were heading for the Narmada by foot – again, for a dip after the eclipse. That left just six of us at the Sanchi Stupa, including the young man who issued the tickets there. He had to defy the rule that no one be allowed before sunrise!

The annular eclipse, a few months later in January 2010 got a better response from people. Still, there were more pilgrims thronging the rivers and the sea than those who went out to see the eclipse itself. A 12-year-old who was put in “house arrest” managed to sneak up to the balcony of his apartment and “saw” the eclipse through the thin film of the sticker of his ballpoint pen!

We have come a long way from the days of “curfew” during the solar eclipse of February 16, 1980. On that day, a bus-load of astronomers from Bengaluru could not get anything to eat or water to drink on the way to the path of totality near Raichur through a long journey of about six hours. The trains ran empty, buses were off the road, all the restaurants were closed. So, just the fact that now people at least step out on an eclipse day is remarkable progress.

The “Great American Eclipse” has shown us what we astronomers should do. An eclipse is a great educational tool. In the US, the preparations had started almost two years ago. All airports had made beautiful posters on the eclipse. T-shirts, postcards, gift items and even water bottles had the picture of an eclipsed sun. There were special arrangements to take visitors to the path of totality, including special training for school teachers. They did simple experiments of measuring the light intensity and the fall in temperature. Special thermometers were given as “take away” gifts. It was no different in South Africa when the shadow swept across the Kruger National Park.

Indonesia witnessed totality last year. They waived visa fee for those who went to see the eclipse! The visitors were given maps of the path of totality. Special buses had been arranged in the early hours of the morning. All towns along the path of totality had a festive look. Huge playgrounds and stadia were used to organise music and dance events (with plenty to eat). Schools brought the children with eclipse goggles; navy units and amateurs lined up their telescopes. Children jumped with joy when darkness paved way for a second dawn.

We are heading for another event – the annular eclipse on December 26, 2019. It is time to start the preparations now. Teachers should prepare children for the event. All the myths, superstitions and illogical arguments should be put to an end. Enthusiasts can head to Bandipur, Nagarhole, Kasargod, Sulya, Ooty, Madikeri and Mangaluru. All the teachers in the schools along the path of totality need to be educated right now for the great event.

That will serve as the preparation for yet another great event – the total eclipse on June 21, 2020 through Kurukshetra and Nandadevi National Park.

(The writer is director, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bengaluru)