Historical Solar Eclipses
by Kirthi Tennakone-December 16, 2019, 7:29 pm
Northern Sri Lanka will witness an annular solar eclipse on 26th December 2019. An event, which certainly happens as predicted, when the sun shadowed by the moon show up as a bright ring of fire, for nearly three minutes and reaching a maximum at 9.34 a.m. in Jaffna. The time and the extent of obscuration varies from place to place as precisely depicted in the NASA Eclipse Website.
Today, total and annular eclipses attract attention as awesome celestial displays. They invite tourists to remote locations and a rare opportunity to arouse the curiosity of children and educate general public. Hotels in the North are getting booked and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research has made provisions to conduct outreach activities on 26th December at the Jaffna University.
Ancient Solar Eclipses
Centuries earlier, solar eclipses caused bewilderment and fear. Imagine the plight of farmers working in broad daylight, when the sky darkens as if the night has befallen unaware. Such incidents and their reoccurrence led to superstitious belief that an eclipse signals a brawl between sun and an evil demon Rahu. Aware of the indispensability of the sun for life on earth, rituals were performed to drive away the demon. Planning such activities in advance, demanded eclipse foretelling. Consequently ancient rulers employed astronomers to observe happenings in the sky and make predictions. A legend tells, the Chinese Emperor, Chung Kang executed two astronomers for not predicting the solar eclipse of 2159 B.C. They were accused of being drunk, neglecting the duty.
Eclipses appearing from time to time could have been the cause behind origin of groundless foretelling of human affairs based on stars. Reliance on such a practices hindering social progress continuing to date, must have been quite frequent in the past. Possibly, this is the reason why, in Brahmajala Sutra, Gautama Buddha preached, it is unrighteous to earn a living proclaiming there will be an eclipse or other events pertaining to stars on certain dates arousing fear. Astronomical investigation is not banned, but the Sutra exemplify the rationality of Buddhism, implying superstitious engagement does more harm than good to the individual and the society.
There had been astronomers in ancient China, Babylonia, and South East Asia knowledgeable of empirical methods to foretell eclipses. However, they did not dispose the involvement of spirits in workings of the heavens and were also astrologers. There is clear evidence for possession this capability in Sri Lanka .The astronomer-cum-astrologer, Viswanathan Sahtree (1756-1850) of Vaddukoddi, Jaffna (11th generation of Panchanga Almanac calculators), foretold the Lunar Eclipse of 20th March 1829. Without appreciating the indigenous accomplishment, Europeans here, who possessed the nautical almanac highlighted an error of 13 minutes in his calculation, in a contest to time the eclipse. Nevertheless, this incident, which received much publicity, enlightened Sri Lankans of the power and accuracy of modern science.
Probably, the Greek philosopher, Anaxagoras of Clazomenae (510-410 B.C) was the first to explain rationally the cause of eclipses. Against revengeful religious and political orthodoxy, he declared "moon is not a god, but a rock and sun is a ball of fire, obscuration sun by moon, we see as a solar eclipse".
The mathematical formalism for accurate prediction of celestial happenings followed after Isaac Newton’s theory of gravitation. This revolutionary idea allowed calculation of the earth and moon orbits, so that their alignment with the sun, can be precisely determined. Computational techniques were successively improved and perfected by the German astronomer Friedrich Bessel in 1820. Today with advanced computers, Bessel’s technique has been adopted to determine times and locations of solar and lunar eclipses, forward or backward up to several millennia.
The chronology of historical events has gaps and uncertainties because of omissions and incompleteness in records, ambiguities of calendars and other inadvertent causes. Reference to an eclipse, provide a way of fixing a date precisely in terms of the modern calendar. One such earliest records was the clay tablet inscription found in ruins of the ancient city of Ugarit in Syria, which reads "In the new moon day of the month of Hiyar, the sun was put to shame, and went down in daytime with Mars in attendance". History of period and the fact that Mars was seen when the sky darkened, concluded the date mentioned in the inscription as 5th March 1223 B.C
Ramayana Solar Eclipse
According to Ramayana, when Rama, his brother Lakshmana and Sita were hiding in the Panchavati forest in South East India. The demon Surpnakha, the sister of King Ravana of Lanka, disguised as a princess, approached Rama and pleaded him to abandon Sita and accept her as his wife. When Rama refused, the angered demon returned to her true personality, erupting a brawl. Lakshmana’s arrow wounded Surpnakha. In vengeance, she accompanied her brother Khar and an army of demons. Valmiki says "when Khar attempted to attack Rama, a portion of the sun gradually turned black developing a brightly coloured periphery, as if charcoal were moving across the sun. Daylight diminished in all directions, progressing to a late afternoon of redness resembling that of a fresh wound. As darkness approached and sun lost its luster, although it was not new moon, sun was engulfed by Rahu. It was like nightfall, stars appeared in the sky and animals howled in the dusk".
Claims have been made, Valmiki refers to the eclipse of 7th October 5077 B.C, visible to Panchavati. However, a remarkably accurate picture of a total eclipse and saying it occurred on a day other than new moon, suggests the writer fictitiously painted an event he has actually seen previously. Valmiki was supposed to have lived in Avani, Mysore District. Perusal of NASA Eclipse Website reveal total solar eclipse passed Avani, 22nd July 495 B.C. Probably Valmiki saw this eclipse and lived around that time. Widely varying chronologies, ranging from 10,000 to 100 B.C have been attributed to Ramayana, the above interpretation, suggests that the epic was written around 500 B.C as opined by some historians.
Solar Eclipses Visible to Sri Lanka
Since 300 B.C, 13 total, 19 annular and much bigger number partial solar eclipses have appeared in Sri Lanka skies. Although there are references to darkening’s of the sky in Sri Lankan history and folklore, only very few explicit records of solar eclipses, seen before the British period have surfaced. Perhaps earliest reference is the incident of 13th January 1507. A letter written by Francisco de Alameda, the viceroy of Portuguese India to King Manuel I in Lisbon, describing his son Lourenco de Alameda’s encounter with Ceylon, says. "We are much troubled by reason that no ship came this year, and Moors are strengthening along the coast against us. Portuguese were further troubled by occurrence, on Wednesday 13th January 1506, of an eclipse of the sun, which lasted from hours 11a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and on 13th July 1507." According to NASA website, an annular eclipse crossed Colombo on Wednesday 13th January 1507 not 1506 but agreeing with the time indicated in the letter. It is clear that there is a misprint in the letter, regarding the year the eclipse occurred. Important implication here is when did Portuguese arrive in Sri Lanka? The eclipse record favors 1506 instead of 1505 advocated by most historians.
Another eclipse occurred 1517 unearths many historical facts. Around 1870, a women digging ground in Kadirana, Negmbo, found a copper plate with engraved letters. A summary of inscription there read "On the fifteenth day of the dark half of moon, in the ninth year of reign, His Majesty Sri Vijayabahu, seated at the new palace in Udugampola, amidst dignitaries, on the day of an eclipse of the sun, endowed land in the village of Dombawela, Udugampola to the Brahmin Venrasu Konda Perumal." The NASA Website prove that there had been an annular eclipse on 19th June 1517, visible as partial to Gampha and Colombo Districts, starting at 2.53 p.m. and reaching a maximum obscuration of 68.5% at 4.30 p.m. Eclipse confirms that Vijayabahu VI of Kotte ascended to throne in 1509 and Udugampola Sub-Kingdom existed in 1517.
The Portuguese writer, De Queyroz also refers to a solar eclipse like incident in Sri Lanka. He says, when Lopo Sorez arrived in Colombo accompanying a fleet of ships to build a fortress, the area was surrounded by Kotte troops and a battle erupted. However, the conflict did not go far because sky darkened as if the evening has approached early. De Queyroz’s description fits precisely into the conditions at time of eclipse of June 1517. Generally cloudy weather of June in Colombo and 68% obscuration of sun around 4.30 p.m. would certainly appear as early setting of the evening.
Inscription also raises following questions. Kings Vijayabahu’s palace and administration was in Kotte. Why was the grant to the Brahmin, awarded from Udugampola (Gampaha) palace, the residence of his deputy Sakala Kala Vallaba? Perhaps, at the time of an imminent danger of Kotte being invaded by Portuguese, the eclipse was considered an omen and Vijayabahu moved to Udugampola. His half-brother Sakala Kala Vallaba of Udugampola, rendered a yeoman service to the nation in suppressing Portuguese expansion. Was he in the battle front at this time?
A large number of copper plate inscriptions have been found in South India, where the rulers have awarded land grants to Brahmins, considering it a meritorious deed to evict the ill effects of an eclipse. Kadirana Sannasa reveal that same practice had been there in Sri Lanka as well.
In recent times (British period and after independence) two total and two annular eclipses were visible to Sri Lanka. The total eclipse of the sun, occurred 12th December 1871 was visible to Northern Sri Lanka. The Colonial Government gave much publicity to the event and team of British astronomers conducted observations in Jaffna and Trincomalee. There are records that the Sri Lanka born British amateur astronomer Percy Molesworth observed the annular eclipse 11th November 1901 from Trincomalee and Kandy had been almost completely dark during the time of maximum ,due to the added effect of the cloudiness of the sky. The recent annular solar eclipse again visible to Northern Sri Lanka occurred 15th January 2010
Many among the older generation of Sri Lankans recollect the total solar eclipse of 20th June 1955 .It was the longest solar eclipse in the 20th century, totality lasting for 7minutes and 8 seconds. The maximum possible duration of a totality for a solar eclipse in this epoch is 7 minutes 30 seconds. The international community recognized Sri Lanka as the best location to observe the eclipse, possibly because at the time Sri Lanka was considered to be most the advanced nation in Asian region where the eclipse is visible. Eclipse chasing tourists and astronomers flocked to Sri Lanka. A foreign correspondent remarked "week before the eclipse, Colombo was like a European Railway Station". Radio Ceylon and newspapers gave much publicity to the event and as the day of eclipse neared, the main topic of dialogue in the village boutique, bus or train and at home and the working place was "Suriya Grahana". As the writer remembers, a main concern for many people was the doubt whether the event would occur exactly as reported. Strangely, a good number of educated older generation citizens confidently believed that event will happen exactly as predicted. They were not astronomers, but familiar with almanacs issued in years before the independence. Pre-independence almanacs; the Government of Ceylon Almanac and British Nautical Almanac gave dates and times of occurrence of solar and lunar eclipses indicating where they could be seen. To a person familiar with these annual publications, a lunar or a solar eclipse happening as printed in the almanac, was not something unfamiliar. Lately, these information disappeared from our almanacs , giving prominence to so-called auspicious times and conspicuous column depicting what ill effects would follow, if a gecko happens fall on different parts of the human body.
To the amazement of the Sri Lankan population, the eclipse of 20th July 1955 occurred exactly as reported. Around 10.30 am, the world seemed to darken as night, stars appeared in the sky and crows flew to their nests. The grandeur of the event at the time of totality was exactly the description of Valmiki in Ramayana. Unfortunately, a good portion of Sri Lankan population and foreign astronomers stationed in North Central Province could not observe corona sun, because of the clouds.
The Great American Eclipse
The total solar eclipse of 21st August 2017, christened ‘The Great American Eclipse’, traced 2800 miles long path across the United States. Undoubtedly, it is the solar eclipse viewed by the largest number of men, women and children and the one that received so much publicity well in advance.
In olden days, the eclipses were a cause of fear and superstition. This trend gradually diffused but with remnants in all cultures and science behind these events gained importance. Recently, the social aspect of eagerness to watch the display gained more attention. .The eclipse of 21st August 2017 demonstrated, it was soul inspiring event surfacing human qualities.
Starting from early morning people flocked into parks, farms and especially, secured open areas. .Interaction with strangers eagerly awaiting to glimpse the event was equally appealing. Moment the lunar disc ‘touched’ sun, people looked-up wearing protective glasses. Thereafter, onlookers, relaxed a bit talking to each other. Although, the eclipse was the main topic, visitors expressed their personal concerns, as if in front of the obscuring sun, true human inner feelings opened-out. In a while, the background reddened, as if a most unfamiliar evening is approaching fast. People turned emotional, uttering poetic expressions moved to locations best to view the totality. Sky, darkened, the totally obscured sun was surrounded by glow. Eclipse ended, enthusiastic crowds sporadically commenting, what they saw worth the trouble taken in travelling excessive distances. Some said, they are a saddened, because their kith and kin couldn’t make it, while others blamed the colleagues, for going to work that day- saying, this experience worth’s million times, the one day pay. Next day, the web was full of words of fascination.
A heart breaking report was, about an ailing very old man lying on the lap of an elderly women and gazing the eclipse. She has said, "He is my father, ninety-four-years old and badly disabled after a stroke, I do whatever possible to comfort him. He has not seen a total solar eclipse, I accompanied him here to show the eclipse".
Human behavior and thinking are not inherent but fashioned by the environment. The environment has two distinct sectors- the biosphere and the sky.
Writer Prof. Kirthi Tennakone can be reached via ktenna@yahoo.co.uk
