Astro2110 – The Solar System

The term umbraphile is not a common term found in most peoples’ lexicons, and even those who parse in Greek may be confused by the translation of “shadow-lover.” However, despite their rarity, umbraphiles do exist, and the shadow which they love is the one the moon casts on the Earth during a total solar eclipse. These people often travel hundred of miles at great expense to view total solar eclipses. Now this may not seem weird to us: solar eclipses are amazing to behold and, really, who cares what rich people do with their free time? However, this hobby would not fare well with many of our ancient predecessors because, to them, solar eclipses were fearful omens from god. Consider this: you’re a 6th century B.C. soldier from modern day Turkey, a man with little use for Astronomy and a lot of use for a big spear. In the middle of a battle, the sun goes dark, the stars become visible, and all that is left of the blazing fireball that grows the crops that feed your children is an eerie ring in the sky. What do you do? You drop your weapons and pray to your deity of choice for forgiveness for fighting an divinely unsanctioned war and hope the light comes back! This actual event was recorded by the Greek historian Herodotus, who writes of a war between the Lydians and the Medians being quenched by a total solar eclipse. In a world where something as small as a bird could be construed as an omen, total solar eclipses were a huge deal. Granted these fears eventually were assuaged by Astronomers who could predict these occurrences, but imagine further back to the time of the simple neanderthal. I’m willing to bet more than one of our archaic friends soiled their loincloth at the sight of a solar eclipse in totality!