What an eclipse sounds like — and why it matters

An eclipse itself is essentially a visual phenomenon and does not produce any sound. It occurs when one celestial body such as a moon or planet moves into the shadow of another celestial body. There are two types of eclipses we experience on Earth: solar eclipses and lunar eclipses.

Solar Eclipse: This is when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, blocking out the Sun’s light.

Lunar Eclipse: This is when the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.

Because these events are purely related to celestial movement, they don’t produce sounds that can be heard by the human ear. However, the effects of an eclipse, specifically a solar eclipse, can impact the behavior of animals and this can create sound changes.

For instance, research has shown that during totality (the point when the sun is completely blocked by the moon during a solar eclipse), the sudden darkening of the sky can cause a shift in the behaviors of animals, such as birds. You might hear birds going quiet, night time insects beginning to chirp, or animals settling down for what they perceive to be nightfall.

Moreover, there has been some research using Very-Low-Frequency (VLF) radio waves to capture ‘sounds’ during solar eclipses, often created by the impact of the eclipse on the Earth’s ionosphere. However, these are not sounds in the traditional sense, rather changes in the propagation of these radio waves.

Understanding these changes that occur

Online Investing Daily

Get the daily email that makes reading the news actually enjoyable. Stay informed and entertained, for free.

Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!