Behavioural and Tetratogenic Effects of Solar Eclipse

The earliest recorded solar eclipse was on October 22, 2137 BC as mentioned in the Chinese 'Slue Ching'. The Chaldean astronomer in about 400 BC discovered that eclipses occur in regular succession at an interval of about 18 years, the cycle being called the Chaldean Saros. The exact interval is 223 lunatians or 6585.3 days. Out of a total of 65 eclipses in 19th century only 4 total solar eclipses were seen over India, i.e. on December 21, 1843, August 18, 1868, December 12, 1871 and January 22, 1998. The first one passed over South India, the second over Masulipatnam, the third across the Madras Presidency and the last over Central India. Prior to the eclipse of February 16, 1980, there were sixty total solar eclipses during the present century, of which 3 were visible in India. The present one (Feb. 16, 1980) was observed between 2.00-5.00 p.m. in different parts of India. Here at Lucknow, where the work has been carried out, it began at 2.39 p.m. reached its greatest phase at 3.51 p.m. and deeclipsed at 4.55 p.m. It covered 70% of the sun's surface.