This is scientific American 60 second science. I'm Christopher Intagiyata.

Last summer's total solar eclipse sliced right through Columbia, Missouri.

It was remarkable. As a biologist, I generally reserve that word remarkable

for biological phenomena. Candice Galen is based at the University of Missouri in Columbia, and being a biologist,

she thought, why not use this astronomical

phenomenon to study a biological one specifically as the skies darkened

would daytime pollinators like bumble bees and honey bees call it quits.

What better activity during an eclipse

and go out with a recorder and record the bees?

So Galen asked 400 citizen scientists, including young students, to place audio recorders in 16

flower patches along the path of totality in Oregon, Idaho, and Missouri.

When they analyzed the audio audio they found that during partial

eclipse bee buzzing continued. But when totality hit the bees went silent

and only the conversational buzz of human observers could be heard.

Then as the moon passed and the sun again lit up the sky, the bees regained their buzz.

The full write-up is in the annals of the Entomological Society of America.

Galen and her colleagues did notice one strange detail.

The individual buzzes lasted longer than normal during the partial eclipse periods.

Perhaps Galen says because the bees were flying more slowly to navigate darker conditions.

Or maybe they were just returning to their nests, thinking the day was through.

It's hard to tell from the recording, she says, which is why, come the next American total solar

eclipse in 2024, she'll be back out

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