Scientists to Spy on Animals During April Eclipse
Were the animals of the world to watch humans during a total solar eclipse, they might
think us strange indeed. They'd see a whole species looking skyward, eyes shielded with
odd sunglasses, oohing and ahhing for a few minutes. It turns out, though, that we may
not be the only creatures prone to odd actions during an eclipse. On April 8, 2024, while
North America scopes out four minutes of moon-blotted sun, some scientists will have
their eyes trained on animals, rather than the sky.
During the last total eclipse to clip the US, people at zoos across the nation noted some
animals acting oddly. Many of the creatures did striking things, researcher Adam
Hartstone-Rose told The Associated Press (AP). He observed animals at the Riverbanks
Zoo in South Carolina in 2017. As the sun vanished behind the moon, giraffes took off at
a gallop. Flamingos huddled around their chicks. Gibbons began singing an unknown
tune. And the tortoises? They got romantic.
The tortoises commonly do "nothing all day," Hartstone-Rose said. Yet during the peak
of the eclipse, they started breeding, he stated.
This year, researchers are setting up shop at zoos across America. They hope to see how
animals react to a springtime eclipse. They note, though, that their window during April's
event may be brief.
“It’s really high stakes. We have a really short (time) to observe them and we can’t
repeat the (study),” an entomologist told the AP.
Question: Analyse the above-mentioned article regarding form,
structure and language.
Form:
The article follows a journalistic style, presenting information in a straightforward
manner.
It begins with a catchy headline summarizing the main idea of the article.
The content is divided into paragraphs, each addressing a specific aspect of the topic:
the peculiar behavior of animals during eclipses, observations from past events, plans
for the upcoming eclipse, and the challenges researchers face.
Direct quotes from researchers and experts are included to provide credibility and
insight into the topic.
Structure:
Introduction: The article starts by drawing parallels between human behavior during
eclipses and potential animal behavior.
Body: It then delves into observations from previous eclipses, detailing specific
behaviors exhibited by different animals.
Conclusion: The article concludes by discussing the upcoming eclipse and the plans
researchers have to observe animal behavior during this event.
Language:
The language is engaging and accessible, suitable for a general audience.
Descriptive language is used to vividly depict the behaviors of animals during eclipses
(e.g., "giraffes took off at a gallop," "Flamingos huddled around their chicks,"
"Gibbons began singing an unknown tune," "the tortoises got romantic").
Direct quotes from researchers add authority and credibility to the information
presented.
Technical terms are used sparingly, ensuring that the content remains understandable
for readers without specialized knowledge.
The language conveys a sense of curiosity and excitement about the upcoming
research endeavor (e.g., "setting up shop at zoos across America," "high stakes," "we
can't repeat the study").
The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting observations and plans without overt
bias or opinion.
Analysis
The article begins with a playful comparison between human behavior during a solar eclipse
and the potential strange actions of animals if they were to observe us. It sets the stage for the
main topic: scientists observing animal behavior during the upcoming April 8, 2024, eclipse
in North America. Drawing from observations during the last total eclipse in the US in 2017,
the article recounts instances of animals behaving unusually, such as giraffes galloping,
flamingos huddling around their chicks, gibbons singing an unfamiliar tune, and even
tortoises engaging in breeding activities, which is atypical for them. These observations serve
as a foundation for the upcoming research initiative.
The article transitions to discuss the plans for the upcoming eclipse, with scientists preparing
to monitor animal behavior at zoos across America. They aim to understand how animals
react to a springtime eclipse, recognizing the unique opportunity presented by this celestial
event. However, the researchers also acknowledge the challenges they face, particularly the
brevity of the observation window during April's eclipse. This brief window heightens the
stakes of the study, as researchers emphasize the importance of making the most of the
limited time available for observation. The tone maintains a sense of intrigue and excitement
surrounding the upcoming research endeavor.
In conclusion, the article underscores the significance of the upcoming eclipse for scientists
studying animal behavior. By focusing on animals during the eclipse, researchers hope to
gain insights into how celestial events impact the behavior of various species. The article
leaves readers intrigued by the prospect of uncovering new discoveries about animal behavior
during eclipses and highlights the dedication of scientists in their pursuit of knowledge.
