Eclipse Trivia Quiz

Answer: Stonehenge

There are many scientist who argue that Stonehenge was believed to track many astronomical events including eclipses. In his 1963 novel "Stonehenge Decoded", British astronomer Gerald Hawkins put forth this idea after using a computer to assist with calculations.

This was cutting edge technology for the time and the book was very popular. There is still controversy and disagreement between scientists as to the validity of the claim, but it has many supporters.

Answer: Danjon scale

French astronomer Andre-Louis Danjon created a 5 level scale for rating lunar eclipses in the early part of the 20th century. The rating of a lunar eclipse using this scale is somewhat subjective and can be affected by weather and location of the person assigning the designation.

A level 0 denotes the darkest level of eclipse, with the moon almost invisible. A level 4 indicates the eclipse is a bright orange or coppery-red color. The Forel-Ule scale is used to determine the color of large bodies of water.

The Borg scale is a medical scale that measures perceived exertion. The Ringelmann scale measures the density and color of smoke.

Answer: Venus and Mercury

The only two planets that do not have eclipses are the two that do not have moons, namely Venus and Mercury. A moon is necessary for any type of eclipse to take place. The more moons a planet has the more opportunities would occur for an eclipse.

Answer: Lovemaking between the Sun and Moon

Not all societies viewed eclipses as ominous signs. The people of Tahiti looked at an eclipse as a sign of happiness in the world and a time of renewal and rebirth.

Answer: Christopher Columbus

The natives of Jamaica were originally very good to Christopher Columbus and his crew. Bad treatment by some of the sailors after a long stay on the island for ship repairs caused the natives to quit providing food. Columbus checked his almanac and noted that an eclipse was due and told the natives that if they kept refusing to feed him and his crew the Moon would disappear.

When the eclipse started and the Moon turned red and then looked as if it would disappear the frightened natives immediately began providing the much needed food until Columbus and his crew left.

Answer: Diamond ring effect

The Diamond ring effect is a phenomenon that is sometimes seen immediately before or after a total eclipse of the Sun. During a total solar eclipse the Sun can be completely blocked out with only the glowing corona visible. Baily's beads are small beads of brilliant light that can be seen on the glowing corona giving the impression of a diamond ring.

Answer: The Sun and Moon were were coming down to make sure all was well on earth.

Many of the Arctic American tribes believed that during an eclipse the Sun and Moon were leaving their places in the sky to come and check that all was well on Earth. They looked at this as a sign of benevolence and love from above.

Answer: Einstein's theory of gravitation

Right before this eclipse was to take place, groups of scientist around the world set up instruments to take measurements of stars in a particular cluster. Their readings were used to prove that the stars' light was bent exactly as Einstein predicted it would. This bending of light is now known as gravitational lensing.

Answer: False

No eclipse was going on, but Halley's Comet was overhead when Twain was born and the day he died.

Answer: China

The dragon was a powerful entity in ancient China. During an eclipse the common people would make yell, bang on drums, and shoot arrows into the sky in an attempt to scare off the dragon. The return of daylight was proof of their success and often a time for celebration at their success in overcoming the dragon and saving the Sun. Similar beliefs were found in some parts of India also.