This Monday, people all across the country will gather to watch the moon travel in front of the sun, causing a total solar eclipse. Although only a portion of the country will have a view of the total eclipse, everyone is excited.

While the sun is 92 million miles away from us and the moon is several hundred thousands of miles away, this event will have several varying effects on Earth. We’re not just talking horoscopes here, we’re talking real changes to our environment. So what actually happens to the environment during an eclipse.

Animals get crazy…maybe

While we have been reading about the eclipse on our Facebook feeds everyday, the birds, spiders, and mammals of the world have not. 

While studies aren’t conclusive, many different observations have been made about animal behavior during eclipses. For example, orb-weaving spiders have been seen destroying their webs. Ornithologist Max Planck says “birds behave as if the disappearance of the sun means evening, and the return of the sun means morning — in time-lapse, of course,” this means that birds get quiet and then interpret the end of the eclipse as morning.

The infrequency of solar eclipses has caused a lot of mixed information about animal behavior, so scientists are always looking to gather more information. There’s even an app where you can help scientists track info on animal behavior during today’s eclipse.

Changes in the Weather

If you are luck enough to be in an area where you can see the total eclipse, you may experience a temperature drop of up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Another weather phenomenon you might notice is an “eclipse wind,” caused by the warm air ceasing to rise in darkness and therefore altering wind direction and strength. This change in temperature and altering of air movement may also induce storms in some areas near the path of totality, but do not expect any shocking, apocalyptic storms any time this afternoon.

Spoooooky Shadow Snakes

While it is unsafe to look directly at the eclipse without special glasses, there are other visual phenomenons you can look out for. One is Shadow Snakes, which are pretty difficult to spot,

but are a wonder if you are lucky enough to find some. Just before the point of totality, shadow bands appear. While scientists are still trying to fully discover what they are, they commonly relate them to the “astronomical geometry of eclipses” as well as turbulence within the atmosphere.

 

Solar Panel Struggle

Solar panels are a fantastic source of energy for many different areas in the country, but their capacity to produce energy will be diminished during the time of the eclipse. This will have an effect on areas that are very dependent on solar energy and in the path of totality, such as California and North Carolina. No one is predicting a total blackout, due to the briefness of the event, and energy providers have prepared back-up plans everywhere. This eclipse will work somewhat as a reminder for the importance & value of solar energy, and how it can remain in balance with other forms of energy production.

See More Planets!

Mercury’s proximity to the sun makes it incredibly difficult to see, but with the moon blocking out the suns light, it will be visible for those at the point of totality. A few other obstructed planets will be visible, including Venus, Mars, and Jupiter. NASA created this super helpful video to point out where you can look for all these planets in our solar-eclipsed sky.

Remember, keep your glasses on! What are you most excited to see?