Annie's Signs in the Sky - Solar & Lunar Eclipse Page

Annie's Signs in the Sky - Solar & Lunar Eclipse Page

"And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call." ~~Joel 2:30-32~~

Easton's Bible Dictionary says that:
ECLIPSE of the sun alluded to in Amos 8:9; Micah 3:6; Zech. 14:6; Joel 2:10. Eclipses were regarded as tokens of God's anger (Joel 3:15; Job 9:7). The darkness at the crucifixion has been ascribed to an eclipse (Matt. 27:45); but on the other hand it is argued that the great intensity of darkness caused by an eclipse never lasts for more than six minutes, and this darkness lasted for three hours. Moreover, at the time of the Passover the moon was full, and therefore there could not be an eclipse of the sun, which is caused by an interposition of the moon between the sun and the earth.

Sun Verses:

"And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:"
~Amos 8:9~

"The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:"
~Acts 2:20~

"The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:"
~Joel 2:10~

What is a Solar Eclipse?

The simplest definition of a "Solar Eclipse" is from the dictionary:
solar eclipse n : the moon interrupts light from the sun
During a solar eclipse, the moon moves between the sun and the earth. The light from the outer part of the sun's atmosphere, called the corona, became visible during a total solar eclipse.
It is very important that you don't look directly at the sun during an eclipse!!!!!!!!!!!!
A solar eclipse takes place when the sun appears to become dark as the moon passes between the sun and the earth. A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon darkens as it passes through the earth's shadow. Watch a Computer Animation of the August 11th Eclipse.

Is there a Solar Eclipe scheduled for 1999?

Watch the August 11th Solar Eclipse on the Internet at Live Coverage

AUGUST 11th --- In 1999 there are only two solar eclipses and the one on August 11th is the second and last one. It is the final TOTAL solar eclipse of the 20th century. Next year, 2,000 there will be four solar eclipses but they are all partial eclipses.

"For the final time this century, the sun, moon, and Earth will align precisely and bring a total solar eclipse to a tiny part of the world. As the Caribbean Sea was last February, Europe and the Middle East are the places to be this August 11 to see nature's grandest spectacle."

"The City of Lights, Paris, will see darkness at midday on August 11 when the sun's shadow sweeps across France. Paris itself sees a 99 percent partial eclipse, but totality lurks a mere 20 miles north."

www.infoplease.com tells us this about the upcoming event: August 11th - Total eclipse of the Sun. It will be visible in the northeastern part of the United States and eastern Canada, the North Atlantic Ocean, Europe, including the British Isles, North Africa, Asia, except the eastern part, and the North Indian Ocean.

Is a Solar Eclipse a rare occurance?
"Eclipses occur every year. Each year there must be TWO solar eclipses
and there can be as many as FIVE. TOTAL solar eclipses occur about seven
times every decade. Eclipses are a normal and predictable part of the
dynamics of the earth / sun / moon system. I have seen SIX total
eclipses around the world. Very spectacular - but no cause for alarm.
Incidentally, maximum duration of TOTALITY is 7 minutes 31 seconds but
eclipse over 7 minutes long are very rare."
~Source for above information from Kryss Katsisvriades~

What does The World Book says about a Solar Eclipse?
Solar eclipses occur when the moon's shadow sweeps across the face of the earth. The shadow usually moves from west to east across the earth at a speed of about 2,000 miles (3,200 kilometers) per hour. People in the path of the shadow may see one of three kinds of eclipses. A total eclipse occurs if the moon completely blots out the sun. If the moon is at its farthest point from the earth when a total eclipse occurs, the eclipse may be only an annular eclipse. In such an eclipse, the moon darkens only the middle of the sun, leaving a bright ring around the edges. A partial eclipse occurs if the moon covers only part of the sun.

A total solar eclipse is one of nature's most impressive sights. The dark moon appears on the western edge of the sun and moves slowly across the sun. At the moment of total eclipse, a brilliant halo flashes into view around the darkened sun. This halo is the sun's outer atmosphere, the corona. The sky remains blue but darkens. Some bright stars and planets may become visible from the earth. After a few minutes, the sun reappears as the moon moves off to the east. The period when the sun is totally darkened may be as long as 7 minutes 40 seconds, but it averages about 21/2 minutes.

A total solar eclipse can be seen only in certain parts of the world. These areas lie in the path of totality, the path along which the moon's shadow passes across the earth. The path of totality is never wider than about 170 miles (274 kilometers).

A partial solar eclipse or a partial phase of a total eclipse should be viewed only with special filters that cut the solar light to a safe level. Sunglasses and smoked glasses do not provide enough protection.

You can also view the sun indirectly with a pinhole projector--two pieces of cardboard, one with a small hole punched through it. Hold this piece so that sunlight passes through the hole and casts an image on the other piece. Spaces between tree leaves can also serve as pinholes, casting images on the ground.

A total solar eclipse can be viewed safely without protection only when the disk of the sun is completely hidden and only the corona is visible. The corona is no brighter than a full moon.

Are there any superstitions about Solar Eclipses?
Eclipses have fascinated people for thousands of years. The ancient Chinese thought solar eclipses occurred when a dragon in the sky tried to swallow the sun.
Signs & Wonders - BBC Page about Superstitions and History of Solar Eclipses.

What does the Bible Dictionary say about the Eclipse of the Sun?

No historical notice of an eclipse occurs in the Bible, but there are passages in the prophets that contain manifest allusions to this phenomenon (Joel 2:10, 31; 3:15; Amos 8:9; Micah 3:6; Zechariah 14:6). Some of these notices probably refer to eclipses that occurred about the time of the respective compositions; thus the date of Amos coincides with a total eclipse, which occurred February 9, 784 b.c., and was visible at Jerusalem shortly after noon; that of Micah with the eclipse of June 5, 716 b.c. A passing notice in Jeremiah 15:9 coincides in date with the eclipse of September 30, 610 b.c., so well known from Herodotus's account (1.74.103). The darkness that overspread the world at the crucifixion cannot with reason be attributed to an eclipse, as the moon was full at the time of the Passover.

During the 20th century 375 eclipses have taken or will take place: 228 solar and 147 lunar. The last total eclipse of the sun visible in the United States in this century occurred over the state of Hawaii on July 11, 1991. The prior such eclipse occurred over the state of Washington on February 26, 1979. The next total eclipse will be visible from the U.S. in 2017.

More about the Sun
(Heb. shemesh). Called in the history of the creation the “greater light” in contradistinction to the moon or “lesser light,” in conjunction with which it was to serve “for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years”; its special office was “to govern the day” (Genesis 1:14-16). The “signs” referred to were probably such extraordinary phenomena as eclipses, which were regarded as conveying premonitions of coming events (cf. Jeremiah 10:2; Matthew 24:29, with Luke 21:25).

Sunrise and sunset are the only defined points of time in the absence of artificial contrivances for telling the hour of the day. Between these two points the Jews recognized three periods: when the sun became hot, about 9 A.M.(1 Samuel 11:9; Nehemiah 7:3); the double light or noon (Genesis 43:16; 2 Samuel 4:5); and “the cool of the day,” shortly before sunset (Genesis 3:8). The sun also served to fix the quarters of the hemisphere, E, W, N, and S, which were represented respectively by the rising sun, the setting sun (Isaiah 45:6; Psalm 50:1), the dark quarter ( Genesis 13:14; Joel 2:20), and the brilliant quarter (Deuteronomy 33:23; Job 37:17; Ezekiel 40:24); or otherwise by their position relative to a person facing the rising sun— before, behind, on the left hand, and on the right hand (Job 23:8-9).

The apparent motion of the sun is frequently referred to in terms that would imply its reality (Joshua 10:13; 2 Kings 20:11; Psalm 19:6; Ecclesiastes 1:5; Habakkuk 3:11).

Figurative. Of God’s favor (Psalm 84:11); of the work of God (19:1-6); Christ’s coming (Malachi 4:2); of the glory of Christ (Matthew 17:2; Revelation 1:16; 10:1); of supreme rulers (Genesis 37:9; Isaiah 13:10); (its clearness) of the purity of the church (Song of Solomon 6:10); (its brightness) of the future glory of saints (cf. Daniel 12:3, with Matthew 13:43); (its power) of the triumph of saints (Judges 5:31); (darkened) of severe calamities (Ezekiel 32:7; Joel 2:10,31; Matthew 24:29; Revelation 9:2); (going down at noon) of premature destruction (Jeremiah 15:9; Amos 8:9); (no more going down) of perpetual blessedness (Isaiah 60:20); (before or in sight of) of public ignominy (2 Samuel 12:11-12; Jeremiah 8:2); of the Person of the Savior (John 1:9; Malachi 4:2); and of the glory and purity of heavenly beings (Revelation 1:16; 10:1; 12:1).
~Above Information From New Unger's Dictionary CD~

Do any solar eclipses coincide with specific Bible Verses?
Eclipse of the sun: "No historical notice of an eclipse occurs in the Bible, but there are passages in the prophets which contain manifest allusion to this phenomenon. (Joel 2:10,31; 3:15; Amos 8:9; Micah 3:6; Zechariah 14:6) Some of these notices probably refer to eclipses that occurred about the time of the respective compositions: thus the date of Amos coincides with a total eclipse which occurred Feb. 9, B.C. 784, and was visible at Jerusalem shortly after noon; that of Micah with the eclipse of June 5, B.C. 716. A passing notice in (Jeremiah 15:9) coincides in date with the eclipse of Sept. 30, B.C. 610, so well known from Herodotus’ account (i. 74, 103). The darkness that overspread the world at the crucifixion cannot with reason be attributed to an eclipse, as the moon was at the full at the time of the passover." Source: Smith's Bible Dictionary

Moon Verses:

"The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come."
~Joel 2:31~

"The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:"
~Acts 2:20~

"And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;"
~Revelations 6:12~

What is a Lunar Eclipse?
The World Book Encyclopedia says: "Lunar eclipses take place when the moon passes through the shadow of the earth. A total eclipse occurs if the entire moon passes through the earth's shadow. A partial eclipse occurs if only part of the moon passes through the shadow. A total lunar eclipse may last up to 1 hour 40 minutes. A lunar eclipse may be seen by most of the people on the night side of the earth. There is no danger in viewing a lunar eclipse.

The moon does not become completely dark during most lunar eclipses. In many cases, it becomes reddish. The earth's atmosphere bends part of the sun's light around the earth and toward the moon. This light is red because the atmosphere scatters the other colors present in sunlight in greater amounts than it does red."

Easton's Bible Dictionary says this about the "Moon":
"hebrew - yareah, from its paleness (Ezra 6:15), and lebanah, the "white" (Cant. 6:10; Isa. 24:23), was appointed by the Creator to be with the sun "for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years" (Gen. 1:14-16). A lunation was among the Jews the period of a month, and several of their festivals were held on the day of the new moon. It is frequently referred to along with the sun (Josh. 10:12; Ps. 72:5, 7, 17; 89:36, 37; Eccl. 12:2; Isa. 24:23, etc.), and also by itself (Ps. 8:3; 121:6).

The great brilliance of the moon in Eastern countries led to its being early an object of idolatrous worship (Deut. 4:19; 17:3; Job 31:26), a form of idolatry against which the Jews were warned (Deut. 4:19; 17:3). They, however, fell into this idolatry, and offered incense (2 Kings 23:5; Jer. 8:2), and also cakes of honey, to the moon (Jer. 7:18; 44:17-19, 25)."

Smith's Bible Dictionary tells us this about the: "Moon"
The moon held an important place in the kingdom of nature, as known to the Hebrews. Conjointly with the sun, it was appointed "for signs and for seasons, and for days and years;" though in this respect it exercised a more important influence, if by the "seasons" we understand the great religious festivals of the Jews, as is particularly stated in (Psalms 104:19) and more at length in Ecclus 43:6,7. The worship of the moon prevailed extensively among the nations of the East, and under a variety of aspects. It was one of the only two deities which commanded the reverence of all the Egyptians. The worship of the heavenly bodies is referred to in (Job 31:26,27) and Moses directly warns the Jews against it. (Deuteronomy 4:19) In the figurative language of Scripture, the moon is frequently noticed as presaging events of the greatest importance through the temporary or permanent withdrawal of its light. (Isaiah 13:10; Joel 2:31; Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24)

Is there any Lunar Mythology or Legend & Fokelore?

Mythology: Early peoples thought the moon was a powerful god or goddess. The ancient Romans called their moon goddesses Luna and Diana. Diana was also the goddess of the hunt and used a moon crescent for a bow and moonbeams for arrows. The moon goddesses of the ancient Greeks were Selene and Artemis. The Greeks and Romans also believed in a goddess called Hecate who was said to have three faces--as Hecate, she was the moon in its dark form; as Artemis (Diana), she was the waxing moon; and as Selene (Luna), she was the full moon. The early Egyptians honored the moon god Khonsu. The Babylonians knew the moon as Sin, sometimes called Nannar, the most powerful of the sky gods. Some American Indian tribes believed the moon and the sun were brother and sister gods. Today, some peoples still worship the moon.

Legend and folklore: Many peoples who did not think of the moon as sacred believed that it influenced life. Early philosophers and priests taught that the moon was related to birth, growth, and death because it waxed and waned. Some people feared eclipses as signs of famine, war, or other disasters. According to one superstition, sleeping in moonlight could cause insanity. The word lunatic, which means moonstruck, comes from luna, a Latin word meaning moon. Even today, many people believe the moon affects the weather. Others think seeds grow especially well when planted during a waxing moon. The moon is important in astrology, a popular pseudo (false) science.

Legends of various lands told how the "man in the moon" had been imprisoned there for stealing or for breaking the Sabbath. Some people saw other figures in the moon's markings. These figures include Jack and Jill, a beautiful woman, a cat, a frog, and a rabbit.

Many people once believed that some form of life existed on the moon. The ancient Greek writer Plutarch told of moon demons that lived in caves. Johannes Kepler, a German astronomer of the 1600's, wrote that lunar craters were built by moon creatures. In 1822, F. P. Gruithuisen, another German astronomer, told of discovering a "lunar city." In the 1920's, the American astronomer W. H. Pickering declared that insects might live on the moon. Many scientists hoped that certain chemicals might be found on the moon to give clues as to how life began on the earth.
~Source for above: The World Book Encyclopedia~

Will there be a Lunar Eclipse of the Moon in 1999?

July 28th - Partial eclipse of the Moon. The beginning of the Umbral phase is visible along the northeastern coast of Asia, and in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, North America, except the northeastern part, western South America, Central America, most of Antarctica, the southeastern Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean; the end is visible in extreme eastern Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, extreme western North America, Antarctica, the eastern Indian Ocean, the North Pacific Ocean, and the South Pacific Ocean, except the extreme eastern part.

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