Shocking spike in one Google search term post-eclipse.
Ever since Monday’s (8 April) solar eclipse, there’s been a rather odd spike in a three-word Google search.
The science behind an eclipse.
A solar eclipse is a celestial event that occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the Sun from a small part of Earth, either totally or partially.
This alignment happens approximately every six months, during the new moon phase, when the Moon’s orbital plane is closest to the plane of Earth’s orbit.
A partial solar eclipse is when the Moon only blocks part of the Sun’s light.
A total solar eclipse is when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s light for a few minutes, creating a path of totality on Earth
During this time, it gets so dark that it looks like nighttime during a full Moon.
This total darkness can be fascinating for scientists who study the Sun’s atmosphere, called the corona.
The spiritual meaning of an eclipse.
The alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth during an eclipse creates a powerful energetic portal, opening up a channel for spiritual transformation and enlightenment.
The spiritual symbolism of a solar eclipse represents a time of deep transformation and renewal.
Total solar eclipse captures world’s attention.
Last Monday, people across the pond were dazzled by the cosmic event, which saw the Moon fully cover the Sun’s surface.
The US, Mexico, and Canada were in the path of the eclipse, which first entered Mexico’s Pacific coast.
More than 31 million people were able to see the rare event, which is a lot of people staring directly at the sun.
Warning issued by experts before solar eclipse.
Prior to the eclipse, experts repeatedly warned that you should never look at an eclipse directly.
Experts warned that if you are viewing an eclipse, you should use solar eclipse glasses.
Certified solar eclipse glasses are 100,000 times darker than ordinary sunglasses.
Rewinding to the 1999 solar eclipse.
In 1999, the UK similar warnings were issued during a solar eclipse.
Reports flooded in of people experiencing eye problems after the event.
The BMJ emphasized the importance of using protective glasses during such events.
Despite warnings, many individuals failed to take proper precautions.
The dangerous side of solar eclipses.
Following the last solar eclipse in the UK, several thousand people rang helplines or attended eye clinics.
According to The British Medical Journal (BMJ), there were numerous cases of solar retinopathy.
Almost a week after the eclipse, there were at least 14 confirmed cases of solar retinopathy.
Solar retinopathy is caused by photochemical damage to the retina.
One particularly severe case involved a person staring at the sun for about 20 minutes without protection.
The aftermath of the eclipse saw individuals suffering from various symptoms, including headaches and blurred vision.
Health authorities urged individuals experiencing symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.
“Most of the known cases resulted from looking at the sun without protecting the eyes,” they explained.
The 1999 eclipse served as a cautionary tale, highlighting the risks associated with viewing an eclipse without adequate eye protection.
So what was the Google search that soared during the eclipse?
The three-word phrase, ‘my eyes hurt’ actually spiked during the eclipse.
The surge in ‘my eyes hurt’ searches post-eclipse raises concerns about eye safety.
Similar terms also had a higher than normal search, including ‘eyes hurt after looking at eclipse’.
While eclipses offer awe-inspiring moments, they also pose potential hazards to unprotected eyes, which is certaintly a lesson we should carry into the future.