A review of conventional explanations of anomalous observations during solar eclipses

TL;DR

This paper critically reviews conventional explanations for anomalous mechanical and gravitational observations during solar eclipses, finding that they fail to account for the phenomena and suggesting directions for future research.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive critique of existing explanations for eclipse-related anomalies and highlights the need for alternative approaches.

Findings

Conventional explanations fail to account for observed anomalies.

Tilt of the vertical may influence measurements.

Recent gravimeter data do not support traditional theories.

Abstract

Conventional explanations for observations of anomalous behaviour of mechanical systems during solar eclipses are critically reviewed. These observations include the work of Allais with paraconical pendula, those of Saxl and Allen with a torsion pendulum and measurements with gravimeters. Attempts of replications of these experiments and recent gravimeter results are discussed and unpublished data by Latham and by Saxl et al. is presented. Some of the data are summarized and re-analyzed. Especially, attention is paid to observations of tilt of the vertical, which seems to play an important role in this matter and recommendations for future research are given. It is concluded that all the proposed conventional explanations either qualitatively or quantitatively fail to explain the observations.