Candles are a leading cause of home fires and fatalities. Soot on the walls and furnishings is unsightly, and may also be a sign of serious problems. It may also be unhealthy, as inhalation of minute particles of soot has been documented to cause health problems.
It is a popular misconception that the phenomenon of a total eclipse of the sun is a rare occurrence. Quite the contrary. Approximately once every 18 months (on average) a total solar eclipse is visible from some place on the Earthâs surface. That's two totalities for every three years.
There are typically 12 full moons and 12 new moons every year, but only four to seven eclipses. Total lunar eclipse composite image by Fred Espenak. A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth, sun and moon align in space, with Earth in the middle.