In 1868, an eclipse in India revealed an element found on Earth 27 years later | TheBriefWire
In 1868, an eclipse in India revealed an element found on Earth 27 years later
Published 11 August 2026 ยท india
During the solar eclipse of 1868 in India, astronomers stumbled upon an enigmatic yellow spectral line, initially observed by Pierre Jules Janssen. Although its significance
During the solar eclipse of 1868 in India, astronomers stumbled upon an enigmatic yellow spectral line, initially observed by Pierre Jules Janssen. Although its significance was not immediately recognized, Norman Lockyer soon named the unidentified element helium upon further analysis. Eventually, William Ramsay verified helium's presence on Earth in 1895 by extracting it from a mineral, solidifying Janssen's pioneering approach to studying solar prominences.
Published: August 11, 2026 โข 12:52 PM IST ยท Updated: August 11, 2026 โข 1:04 PM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points
During the solar eclipse of 1868 in India, astronomers stumbled upon an enigmatic yellow spectral line, initially observed by Pierre Jules Janssen.
Although its significance was not immediately recognized, Norman Lockyer soon named the unidentified element helium upon further analysis.
Eventually, William Ramsay verified helium's presence on Earth in 1895 by extracting it from a mineral, solidifying Janssen's pioneering approach to studying solar prominences.