Yes, Justin386
Shafts made during an eclipse due tend to stay straighter because the gravitational pull of the moon is neutral.
As far as a table playing slower or faster......
I could see that the nap of the cloth could be pulled one way before the eclipse and would switch directions to the other way as the eclipse was ending.
Tip softness has much more to do with the alignment of the North Star to your current geographical position on the earth.
You must also factor in the altitude you are playing at.
Sea level air is thicker than air at a higher altitude.
The air inside the tip will determine the firmness of a tip.
You will need to adjust your stroke speed to compensate for these atmospheric, geographical and gravitational variables.