How did the total eclipse save Christopher Columbus's life?

With an understanding of astronomy from the civilized world, he not only saved his own life and the expedition, but was also treated kindly when he set foot in the land of the Aboriginal people.

For ten years from 1492 to 1502, Columbus explorer made four ocean voyages to the New World . His first trips were quite favorable, while the fourth trip to the Central American coast, he had many incidents and a life-threatening accident, but fortunately he managed to overcome it.

On 11 May 1502, Columbus left the Spanish port city of Cádiz on the ships Capitana, Gallega, Vizcaína and Santiago de Palos. Unfortunately, termite insects have punctured wood on the ship, he has to leave two ships and the other two land on the north coast of an island that today is Jamaica on June 25 1503.

Painting Columbus's landfall on an island called Guanahani by indigenous people and he called San Salvador on October 12, 1492. He erected the Spanish Royal flagpole, proclaiming Western patronage. Spain for this land.Terrified aboriginal people watched from behind the bushes.Painting by John Vanderlyn.

Initially when Columbus's delegation arrived at the island, Arawak Indians welcomed the welcome, giving food and shelter very fully. However, the ship was stuck, the time passed more and more, many things arise causing tension between the two sides to rise. After 6 months of being trapped on the island, more than half of the crew became fierce, stealing food and killing some Arawak people.

Faced with the shortage of food and unrelenting tension of indigenous people, Columbus thought of a very clever plan, although he himself felt it was not right.

"Savior" appeared in time

His "savior" at the time was an astronomical book containing detailed time of astronomical events that took place from 1475 to 1506, the author and mathematician and astronomer Johannes Müller von Königsberg. The Germans, often referred to as Latin, Regiomontanus.

This book of Regiomontanus is of great value because it provides detailed information about the sun, moon and planets' diving times, as well as important stars and constellations used to navigate when go on the sea. After the book was published, no sailor dared to go out to sea without carrying it with him. With its help, explorers were able to confidently leave the traditional routes that reached out to new roads.

Of course, Columbus also gave himself a copy of the book and he quickly used it at the time of the trouble between Jamaican islands. He discovered that the total lunar eclipse would take place on the evening of February 29, 1504 , and it was good that the lunar eclipse occurred exactly when the Moon rose.

Three days before the eclipse occurred, Columbus asked to meet with the Arawak representative. He warned that his God was very angry when the people on the island did not provide food for his people anymore. In order to prove what he said was true, he said there would be a clear indication that, on the next three nights, the Moon would be immersed in a crimson color like human blood, after the event, many heavenly The ears will descend on the people of the island.

Blood moon appeared

In the evening of the "fate" day , when the Sun sets in the west, the darkness gradually covers the sky and sky. The moon is rising from the eastern horizon and everyone is frightened when the Moon is dyed a terrible red.

According to Columbus's son, Ferdinand, the Arawak were terrified by this scene. They roared loudly and became panicked, some people had to run to the ships and immediately yielded, giving concessions to the train and asking Columbus to pray to the gods for forgiveness. their sins.

Jamaican aborigines begged Columbus to turn the Moon back to its original state when the entire Moon Festival took place.(Illustrated: Camille Flammarion).

Columbus agreed, saying that a private space was needed to pray to the gods. He closed the ship door and stayed inside for 50 minutes. He previewed the lunar phases so be sure when the lunar eclipse will end. He went out and announced that God had forgiven and He would turn the Moon back to normal.

Soon after, as Columbus had said, the Moon gradually returned to its normal color, the red light gone. The Arawak hurriedly bowed to thank and left the anchorage area.

The crew and Columbus were warmly welcomed by the Aboriginal people until his rescue ship from Hispaniola arrived on June 29, 1504. Columbus and his crew returned to Spain on November 7. same year.

Vietnam is about to be observed

, Vietnam will observe the entire Nguyet real phenomenon from 17 hours 52 minutes to 23 hours 09 minutes. Not only the entire territory of Vietnam, but also the Asia-Pacific region will observe this phenomenon.

The total eclipse occurs when the Earth lies between the Sun and the Moon, and all three bodies lie in line. At this time the Earth will cover the light from the Sun to the Moon, but the rays with red-orange light with long wavelengths pass through the Earth's atmosphere and shine onto the Moon, causing the Moon to turn into Red.

When observing the lunar eclipse, you can see directly with the naked eye because the light of the Moon is mild and does not harm the eyes as when observing the Sun at the occurrence of an eclipse. You can use the telescope to get a close-up view of the Moon's surface the moment it turns orange.