The astronomical event of total solar eclipse is all set to embrace our planet&nbsp;on April 8. The phenomenon is not just a spectacle in the sky, but also a living study of how creatures on Earth react to drastic changes in nature.

Many studies on solar eclipses have shown in the past that animals and plants tend to behave differently during eclipses. Like during the 1851 eclipse in Sweden, a swarm of ants carrying food literally froze during the darkness of eclipse or a Massachusetts pantry was infested with cockroaches after the total eclipse in 1932.

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Many such incidents have been recorded over time by scientists and researchers. Teams of researchers across the US have come up with plenty of studies about plant and animal behaviour during the last total eclipse in 2017, to see how creatures might react.

<h2>Total solar eclipse: Birds, bees, and plants have a natural response to the phenomenon</h2>

When it comes to birds, the common notion as per scores of studies has been that they go to a roost nearby and go completely quiet during the eclipse. However, a team of ornithologists from Cornell University found some birds to sing during the time of the eclipse, as per the recordings they captured during the 1963 eclipse.&nbsp;

In another study, conducted during the 2017 eclipse, researchers monitored flying creatures like insects and birds closely, using the weather radar network. They found the skies to be eerily quiet 50 minutes before and after the path of totality during the eclipse.&nbsp;

“Some previous research shows that insects react much more immediately to light cues, while birds are more like, ‘What’s going on?’” said Cecilia Nilsson, a biologist at Lund University in Sweden.&nbsp;

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However the 2024 eclipse will be occurring during the spring, and the North American eclipse of 2017 took place in the fall season, which is migration time for many birds. Several&nbsp;birds, as per Nilsson migrate at night especially during the spring. Hence, abrupt darkness may have a different effect on birds this time.

Similar signs were detected by honeybees when a crowd-sourced compilation of observations from a 1932 eclipse showed that a swarm of some 200 bees were “apprehensive” in the minutes before totality. Another observer reported that as darkness increased, the number of outgoing bees decreased, but they returned in much larger numbers.

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In some reports, it was also found that bees stopped buzzing altogether around flowers during the totality. But the bees that were hungrier were less shut down as per those who weren’t.

Daniel Beverly, a plant ecophysiologist at Indiana University, studied how sagebrush plants in Wyoming reacted during the 2017 eclipse. A total eclipse last passed over Wyoming in 1918, though it traversed different parts of the state.

He and his team observed that photosynthesis plummeted during totality, then took hours to recover from the complete absence of sun for a while.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The astronomical event of total solar eclipse is all set to embrace our planet on April 8. The phenomenon is not just a spectacle in the sky, but also a living study of how creatures on Earth react to drastic changes in nature.

The astronomical event of total solar eclipse is all set to embrace our planet on April 8. The phenomenon is not just a spectacle in the sky, but also a living study of how creatures on Earth react to drastic changes in nature. Many studies on solar eclipses have shown in the past that animals and plants tend to behave differently during eclipses. Like during the 1851 eclipse in Sweden, a swarm of ants carrying food literally froze during the darkness of eclipse or a Massachusetts pantry was infested with cockroaches after the total eclipse in 1932. Also Read | Surprising images of black hole at center of Milky Way alter our understanding of black holes Many such incidents have been recorded over time by scientists and researchers. Teams of researchers across the US have come up with plenty of studies about plant and animal behaviour during the last total eclipse in 2017, to see how creatures might react. Total solar eclipse: Birds, bees, and plants have a natural response to the phenomenon When it comes to birds, the common notion as per scores of studies has been that they go to a roost nearby and go completely quiet during the eclipse. However, a team of ornithologists from Cornell University found some birds to sing during the time of the eclipse, as per the recordings they captured during the 1963 eclipse. In another study, conducted during the 2017 eclipse, researchers monitored flying creatures like insects and birds closely, using the weather radar network. They found the skies to be eerily quiet 50 minutes before and after the path of totality during the eclipse. “Some previous research shows that insects react much more immediately to light cues, while birds are more like, ‘What’s going on?’” said Cecilia Nilsson, a biologist at Lund University in Sweden. Also Read | Delving deep: Earth's crust holds more water than its ice caps, reveals study However the 2024 eclipse will be occurring during the spring, and the North American eclipse of 2017 took place in the fall season, which is migration time for many birds. Several birds, as per Nilsson migrate at night especially during the spring. Hence, abrupt darkness may have a different effect on birds this time. Similar signs were detected by honeybees when a crowd-sourced compilation of observations from a 1932 eclipse showed that a swarm of some 200 bees were “apprehensive” in the minutes before totality. Another observer reported that as darkness increased, the number of outgoing bees decreased, but they returned in much larger numbers. Also Read | Massive asteroid led to two billion craters on surface of Mars, claim scientists In some reports, it was also found that bees stopped buzzing altogether around flowers during the totality. But the bees that were hungrier were less shut down as per those who weren’t. Daniel Beverly, a plant ecophysiologist at Indiana University, studied how sagebrush plants in Wyoming reacted during the 2017 eclipse. A total eclipse last passed over Wyoming in 1918, though it traversed different parts of the state. He and his team observed that photosynthesis plummeted during totality, then took hours to recover from the complete absence of sun for a while. (With inputs from agencies)

Total solar eclipse: Birds, bees, plants might act strange during the eerie darkness on April 8

We all have heard that eclipses (solar and lunar) are a rare sight that the universe offers in this cosmic world. But this year’s solar eclipse will not just be something you see, but also something that you will experience on many levels.&nbsp;

The April 8 solar eclipse will be more than just a visual event as it will have multi-sensory effects, including sound. This is the reason why NASA is asking people in the US to listen during the total eclipse on April 8 this year.

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"We want to show that eclipses can be studied in a multi-sensory manner, through sound and feeling and other forms of observation," said Kelsey Perrett, Communications Coordinator with the NASA-funded Eclipse Soundscapes Project.

<h2>How people can help in understanding eclipses better?</h2>

NASA is aiming to collect more diverse data on solar eclipses for its Eclipse Soundspaces Project, for which it wants millions of people to listen, observe and record anything that they think might be peculiar. The result will be, as scientists hope, a better understanding of how an eclipse affects different ecosystems.

Data collectors recruited for the project will also use a low-cost recording device called AudioMoth to capture the sounds of animals, birds and insects—especially crickets.

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One mystery that researchers want to solve is whether nocturnal and diurnal animals act any differently or become more or less vocal during a solar eclipse.

“The more audio data and observations we have, the better we can answer these questions,” said Perrett.

“Contributions from participatory scientists will allow us to drill down into specific ecosystems and determine how the eclipse may have impacted each of them.”

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However, individuals participating in this project do not need a technical background or significant financial resources to participate.&nbsp;

Anyone, including those who are blind or have low vision, can join as "Data Collectors" using an AudioMoth or as “Observers by recording their multisensory observations and submitting them to the project website following the eclipse."

“The intention of this project is to make the total solar eclipse an engaging and enjoyable experience for everyone,” said Dr. Henry “Trae” Winter, co-lead of the Eclipse Soundscapes Project. “We are excited to invite the public to participate in this opportunity to perform real and meaningful scientific research as equal participants," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

We all have heard that eclipses (solar and lunar) are a rare sight that the universe offers in this cosmic world. But this year’s solar eclipse will not just be something you see, but also something that you will experience on many levels.

We all have heard that eclipses (solar and lunar) are a rare sight that the universe offers in this cosmic world. But this year’s solar eclipse will not just be something you see, but also something that you will experience on many levels. The April 8 solar eclipse will be more than just a visual event as it will have multi-sensory effects, including sound. This is the reason why NASA is asking people in the US to listen during the total eclipse on April 8 this year. Also Read | Largest iceberg A23a enters its 'rotational phase' while drifting towards warmer waters "We want to show that eclipses can be studied in a multi-sensory manner, through sound and feeling and other forms of observation," said Kelsey Perrett, Communications Coordinator with the NASA-funded Eclipse Soundscapes Project. How people can help in understanding eclipses better? NASA is aiming to collect more diverse data on solar eclipses for its Eclipse Soundspaces Project, for which it wants millions of people to listen, observe and record anything that they think might be peculiar. The result will be, as scientists hope, a better understanding of how an eclipse affects different ecosystems. Data collectors recruited for the project will also use a low-cost recording device called AudioMoth to capture the sounds of animals, birds and insects—especially crickets. Also Read | Earth is round, but Jupiter was once most likely flat: Scientists One mystery that researchers want to solve is whether nocturnal and diurnal animals act any differently or become more or less vocal during a solar eclipse. “The more audio data and observations we have, the better we can answer these questions,” said Perrett. “Contributions from participatory scientists will allow us to drill down into specific ecosystems and determine how the eclipse may have impacted each of them.” Also Read | 'Take charge': Companies using feminist messages to push useless health products onto women, finds study However, individuals participating in this project do not need a technical background or significant financial resources to participate. Anyone, including those who are blind or have low vision, can join as "Data Collectors" using an AudioMoth or as “Observers by recording their multisensory observations and submitting them to the project website following the eclipse." “The intention of this project is to make the total solar eclipse an engaging and enjoyable experience for everyone,” said Dr. Henry “Trae” Winter, co-lead of the Eclipse Soundscapes Project. “We are excited to invite the public to participate in this opportunity to perform real and meaningful scientific research as equal participants," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Why is NASA urging people to listen during solar eclipse on April 8 and report back?

Sky-gazers stood transfixed across North America Monday as the Sun vanished behind the Moon in a rare total eclipse that swept the continent coast-to-coast for the first time in nearly a century.

Millions of die-hard eclipse chasers and amateur star watchers alike converged in cities along the path of totality, a 70-mile (113-kilometer) wide swath cutting through 14 US states, where the Moon briefly blocked out all light from the Sun.&nbsp;

&quot;It was incredibly beautiful. I am moved to tears,&quot; said Heather Riser, a 54-year-old librarian from Virginia, sitting on a blanket in Charleston&#39;s grassy Waterfront Park where thousands had gathered to watch.

Festivals, rooftop parties, weddings, camping trips and astronomy meet-ups were held nationwide for what was likely most heavily photographed and documented eclipse in modern times, thanks to the era of social media.

The blackest part of the shadow, known as totality because the Moon blocks all the Sun&#39;s light from the Earth, began over Lincoln Beach, Oregon at 1716 GMT.

Crowds whooped and cheered at the first sign of darkness.

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A composite image of the total solar eclipse seen from the Lowell Observatory Solar Eclipse Experience August 21, 2017 in Madras, Oregon. (AFP)
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People watch the solar eclipse at Saluki Stadium on the campus of Southern Illinois University on August 21, 2017 in Carbondale, Illinois. (AFP)
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Solar eclipse watchers were ecstatic as the clouds broke minutes before totality during the total solar eclipse from one of the last vantage points where totality was visible. (AFP)
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Just inland, more than 100,000 people gathered at Madras, Oregon -- typically a town of 7,000 -- in what experts described as perfect viewing conditions.

&quot;I&#39;ve wanted to see one of these my whole life, since I&#39;ve been studying astronomy, since I was a kid,&quot; said Christine Sapio, a science professor. &quot;I thought I was prepared for it -- I totally wasn&#39;t.&quot;

&quot;I was shaking, I was crying. I was just totally taken aback by just how beautiful it was.&quot;

In Los Angeles, &quot;oohs and aahs&quot; emanated from the crowd of thousands gathered at the Griffith Observatory in the hills above the city as the partial eclipse began.&nbsp;

Many had hiked to avoid massive traffic jams. Some watchers had fashioned their own pinhole projectors out of cardboard and scotch tape. Others watched while wearing special, dark solar eclipse glasses.

&#39;Just awesome&#39;&nbsp;

In downtown Charleston, South Carolina, the last point in the path of totality, crowds of tourists -- some in special eclipse T-shirts and star-printed trousers -- staked out prime spots on the bustling city&#39;s storied waterfront.

Forecasts of thunderstorms threatened to block the view, but the eclipse managed to peek through the wispy clouds.

Onlookers in Waterfront Park screamed and cheered as the sky went dark in the middle of the afternoon, streetlamps came on, and a rumble of thunder could be heard in the distance. &nbsp;

&quot;It was just awesome,&quot; said Dave Lichtenauer, age 63, a retired electrical engineer, describing the event as &quot;partially spiritual.&quot;

&quot;The crowd here was very into it,&quot; he added, remarking on the diversity and peacefulness of the masses.&nbsp;

&quot;You don&#39;t get many chances to experience that.&quot;

One bar had installed outdoor speakers blasting Bonnie Tyler&#39;s mega-hit &quot;Total Eclipse of the Heart&quot; -- which she performed live on a cruise ship sailing through the path of totality.

The unofficial anthem for the celestial show soared to the top of the iTunes charts, outdoing even record-smashing pop song &quot;Despacito.&quot;

Cloudy weather and thunderstorms dashed viewers&#39; hopes of seeing the eclipse in some places, including Missouri.

Some of the clearest views were along the West Coast.

&#39;Don&#39;t look&#39;

In the US capital, where 81 per cent totality occurred, Donald Trump watched the partial eclipse from the White House with his wife Melania and son Barron -- although the president appeared to have missed the memo on eclipse do&#39;s and don&#39;ts.

At one point, Trump glanced skyward without protective eyewear -- a big no-no, according to experts. &quot;Don&#39;t look,&quot; an aide shouted to him. He later donned glasses.

Eclipse watchers also flocked to Washington&#39;s National Air and Space Museum, where solar telescopes were set up for the occasion.&nbsp;

In Mexico, where there was a partial eclipse, astronomy buffs set up telescopes fitted with special sun filters in parks and squares in various cities.

Eclipse watchers often describe being overcome by emotion as the sky goes black, birds return to their nests and the air chills.

&quot;It is such an incredible, sensory-overload kind of event,&quot; eclipse-chaser Fred Espenak, a retired NASA astrophysicist, told AFP of the first total solar eclipse he saw in the United States back in 1970.

Scientists planned to study the eclipse to learn more about the super-hot corona, or outer atmosphere of the Sun.

&quot;It is really exciting to see so many people interested in nature and science and this amazing phenomenon,&quot; said Kwayera Davis, an adjunct professor of astronomy at the College of Charleston.

&#39;Sharing a cosmic event&#39;&nbsp;

After weeks of turmoil triggered by the race-fueled violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, some commentators welcomed the national feel-good moment afforded by the Great American Eclipse.

&quot;The divided United States of America will unite today, sharing a cosmic event predicted by the methods and tools of science,&quot; tweeted the US astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson -- who earlier advised people to &quot;put down your smartphone and experience this one emotionally, psychologically, physically.&quot;

The CEO of Goldman Sachs, Lloyd Blankfein, drew a more somber parallel between the day&#39;s spectacle and the country&#39;s challenges.

&quot;Wish the moon wasn&#39;t the only thing casting a shadow across the country. We got through one, we&#39;ll get through the other,&quot; he tweeted.

Festivals, rooftop parties, weddings, camping trips and astronomy meet-ups were held nationwide for what was likely most heavily photographed and documented eclipse in modern times

Sky-gazers stood transfixed across North America Monday as the Sun vanished behind the Moon in a rare total eclipse that swept the continent coast-to-coast for the first time in nearly a century. Millions of die-hard eclipse chasers and amateur star watchers alike converged in cities along the path of totality, a 70-mile (113-kilometer) wide swath cutting through 14 US states, where the Moon briefly blocked out all light from the Sun. "It was incredibly beautiful. I am moved to tears," said Heather Riser, a 54-year-old librarian from Virginia, sitting on a blanket in Charleston's grassy Waterfront Park where thousands had gathered to watch. Festivals, rooftop parties, weddings, camping trips and astronomy meet-ups were held nationwide for what was likely most heavily photographed and documented eclipse in modern times, thanks to the era of social media. The blackest part of the shadow, known as totality because the Moon blocks all the Sun's light from the Earth, began over Lincoln Beach, Oregon at 1716 GMT. Crowds whooped and cheered at the first sign of darkness. A composite image of the total solar eclipse seen from the Lowell Observatory Solar Eclipse Experience August 21, 2017 in Madras, Oregon. (AFP) × People watch the solar eclipse at Saluki Stadium on the campus of Southern Illinois University on August 21, 2017 in Carbondale, Illinois. (AFP) × Solar eclipse watchers were ecstatic as the clouds broke minutes before totality during the total solar eclipse from one of the last vantage points where totality was visible. (AFP) × Just inland, more than 100,000 people gathered at Madras, Oregon -- typically a town of 7,000 -- in what experts described as perfect viewing conditions. "I've wanted to see one of these my whole life, since I've been studying astronomy, since I was a kid," said Christine Sapio, a science professor. "I thought I was prepared for it -- I totally wasn't." "I was shaking, I was crying. I was just totally taken aback by just how beautiful it was." In Los Angeles, "oohs and aahs" emanated from the crowd of thousands gathered at the Griffith Observatory in the hills above the city as the partial eclipse began. Many had hiked to avoid massive traffic jams. Some watchers had fashioned their own pinhole projectors out of cardboard and scotch tape. Others watched while wearing special, dark solar eclipse glasses. 'Just awesome' In downtown Charleston, South Carolina, the last point in the path of totality, crowds of tourists -- some in special eclipse T-shirts and star-printed trousers -- staked out prime spots on the bustling city's storied waterfront. Forecasts of thunderstorms threatened to block the view, but the eclipse managed to peek through the wispy clouds. Onlookers in Waterfront Park screamed and cheered as the sky went dark in the middle of the afternoon, streetlamps came on, and a rumble of thunder could be heard in the distance. "It was just awesome," said Dave Lichtenauer, age 63, a retired electrical engineer, describing the event as "partially spiritual." "The crowd here was very into it," he added, remarking on the diversity and peacefulness of the masses. "You don't get many chances to experience that." One bar had installed outdoor speakers blasting Bonnie Tyler's mega-hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart" -- which she performed live on a cruise ship sailing through the path of totality. The unofficial anthem for the celestial show soared to the top of the iTunes charts, outdoing even record-smashing pop song "Despacito." Cloudy weather and thunderstorms dashed viewers' hopes of seeing the eclipse in some places, including Missouri. Some of the clearest views were along the West Coast. 'Don't look' In the US capital, where 81 per cent totality occurred, Donald Trump watched the partial eclipse from the White House with his wife Melania and son Barron -- although the president appeared to have missed the memo on eclipse do's and don'ts. At one point, Trump glanced skyward without protective eyewear -- a big no-no, according to experts. "Don't look," an aide shouted to him. He later donned glasses. Eclipse watchers also flocked to Washington's National Air and Space Museum, where solar telescopes were set up for the occasion. In Mexico, where there was a partial eclipse, astronomy buffs set up telescopes fitted with special sun filters in parks and squares in various cities. Eclipse watchers often describe being overcome by emotion as the sky goes black, birds return to their nests and the air chills. "It is such an incredible, sensory-overload kind of event," eclipse-chaser Fred Espenak, a retired NASA astrophysicist, told AFP of the first total solar eclipse he saw in the United States back in 1970. Scientists planned to study the eclipse to learn more about the super-hot corona, or outer atmosphere of the Sun. "It is really exciting to see so many people interested in nature and science and this amazing phenomenon," said Kwayera Davis, an adjunct professor of astronomy at the College of Charleston. 'Sharing a cosmic event' After weeks of turmoil triggered by the race-fueled violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, some commentators welcomed the national feel-good moment afforded by the Great American Eclipse. "The divided United States of America will unite today, sharing a cosmic event predicted by the methods and tools of science," tweeted the US astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson -- who earlier advised people to "put down your smartphone and experience this one emotionally, psychologically, physically." The CEO of Goldman Sachs, Lloyd Blankfein, drew a more somber parallel between the day's spectacle and the country's challenges. "Wish the moon wasn't the only thing casting a shadow across the country. We got through one, we'll get through the other," he tweeted.

Total solar eclipse enthrals America

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Total solar eclipse: Birds, bees, plants might act strange during the eerie darkness on April 8

Why is NASA urging people to listen during solar eclipse on April 8 and report back?

Total solar eclipse enthrals America