Posted on 08/09/2017 1:55:09 PM PDT by sodpoodle
COLUMBIA, SC —
Elephants, flamingos, giraffes and gorillas will share top billing with the darkened sky at Riverbanks Zoo during next month’s solar eclipse.
Zoo officials plan to study 12 types of animals and birds to see if they act differently before, during and after the Aug. 21 eclipse. The effort is intended to show what impact, if any, the temporary mid-afternoon blackout has on some of the zoo’s 2,000 animals.
Little is know about how animals behave during eclipses, zoo officials say.
“It’s an opportunity to do a little bit of science instead of relying on anecdotes,” said Ed Diebold, director of animal collections and conservation at the zoo. “There’s really not very much known about it.
While zoo officials are planning to study their animals during the eclipse, pet owners and farmers shouldn’t worry, animal experts say.
Horses, cows, sheep and other livestock that normally rest in the shade during summer heat may come out to graze a bit during the midday twilight, said Travis Mitchell, a Clemson University Extension Service agent for Lexington County.
“There’s no danger for them,” he said. “They shouldn’t be affected at all.”
Lexington veterinarian Ginger Macaulay likewise is counseling pet owners not to worry.
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article162956403.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article162956403.html#storylink=cpy
(Excerpt) Read more at thestate.com ...
Get two long boxes that will fit together. 1’x1’x2’ or so will do. Cut the tops and one end of each. Slide one inside the other. Pinhole one end and tape dark paper inside the other. Stand with your back to the sun, cover your head with the boxes, and adjust them to focus.
American animals have not been recorded, in regards to the last American solar eclipse in 1918.
As folks have noted, during natural upheavals, animals go batspit crazy, so it will be something to witness, and i am sure even ‘The Weather Channel” will have something about it!
S31558 http://www.southerncampaign.org/pen/s31558.pdf
“That he entered the service of the united States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That in the faul of the year That the Sun was totally eclipsed the date not recollected, but believes it was in the month of September 1776 he enroled himself as a volunteer in the company of Capt Henry Lynes under the command of Col Christy of the Virginia Militia and at the time of his enrolment resided in Patrick County [sic: formed from Henry County in 1791] in the State of Virginia and the day he left home the Sun was Eclipsed and it was so dark the fowls went to roost & he was in the service”
Other facts at pdf : “ Indians shot arrows into sky, to ward off unknown events.
************
Documentation: of above notes actually stated in sworn testimony that Aquilla was 92 on 18 September 1832. The same document states by his word that the day he went to war there was and eclipse of the sun. He stated that he thought it was September 1776, but actual records on the NASA website shows the eclipse was on September 18, 1772.
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEsearch/SEsearchmap.php?Ecl=-17720918
Also
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEcat5/SE-1799—1700.html
Last two links are great for facts on eclipses.
The ones with watches on will wonder why the sun has set so early. The others won’t notice it.
They’ll probably be thinking, “We’ve gotta get out of this place.”
Per Wiki, the last total eclipse visible in the U.S. was in 1945, so I’m thinking the ones you’re talking about in the ‘80s don’t really compare.
>>My ophthalmologist is selling them to his patients <<
What a brilliant idea!
Great links - will read them again.
Thought the article would be a change of pace from politics; and surprised at some of the responses.
I enjoy being educated;)
I have seen a total eclipse once before, when on Active Duty in Panama in the 90s. The whole thing is over in minutes. It is eerie, though. You notice immediately all the insect noises stop. Cold. The birds all stop flying. Nothing moves or makes any noise. The Bunger’s bands are impressive. If you haven’t seen one you need to. As soon as it’s over you start asking “When and where is the next one?” I have been waiting 25 years for this. LOL.
Preventive medicine:)
I was born in October 1945, so I really don’t remember that one. The one in the 80’s was a partial eclipse, no big deal, but neither is a full eclipse.
It’s not a life-altering event, only a rare one.
It’s the Apoca-clipse.
Chickens are going to run around squawking their heads off just before diving under bushes to hide, it’ll be the biggest hawk they’ve ever seen.
Dogs and cats living together....mass hysteria.
No, I’m serious. That’s what the chickens did when people started hang gliding off the mountain behind my parents’ house when I was a kid.
This could be disastrous for vampires. They’re going to rise out of their coffins and go off into the darkness to search for a victim, thinking night has fallen. Two minutes later, they’re going to be in big trouble!
I guess you have no experience with a total eclipse.
Partial eclipses: most people except for those in a ~100 mile wide band across the US with a clear view of the sun during the right two minutes, will only see a partial eclipse. Partial eclipses are like clouds, down an f-stop or two.
During a TOTAL eclipse, the sun gives off about as much light as a full moon. Stars and planets are visible. And the animals, birds and maybe small rodents, do go nuts as I recall. It's been a while. The only total eclipse I've witnessed was on March 7, 1970. I was also in the path of totality on July 20, 1963, but clouds obscured the sun a few minutes before totality where I was. I think the animals went nuts then too, but I'm not sure.
ML/NJ
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.