Solar Eclipse Myths and Facts - Eating, Cooking is Totally Safe : Gban'S & You

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Hello Gnees Army,

Good Morning,

Amidst the pandemic Coronavirus, a very amazing thing will happen and that is Annular Solar Eclipse. After a penumbral lunar eclipse earlier this month, we are all ready to witness a solar eclipse today (June 21) and sky watchers can observe the ‘ring of fire’ during the phenomenon.

Some parts of the world like Africa Continent, Asia will be able to view a full eclipse, whereas many will get only a partial eclipse.

Though solar eclipses have inspired curiosity among the youngsters besides, it also caused fear, myths, legends, superstitions across some ages people too. In this natural phenomenon, there too many myths and Misconceptions among some people especially in the country – India, and Bangladesh.

There is a very fun fact among some people that the sun vanishes temporarily from the sky partially or wholly. Here our teacher Mr. science has come up with a valid explanation and said that chill!!!, Where I am here, there not to fear. Jokes apart, In this modern science world still many people around the world believe that this solar eclipse brings death, destruction, and disasters.

Solar Eclipse Myths – সূর্যগ্রহণের কিছু সত্য ও মিথ্যা

AND YES! SOME SAY, THIS IS THE END OF THE WORLD!

So not to worry! We have listed below regarding this Solar Eclipse that what are real scientific facts and what are full myths. So, here we go…

Science Facts – What you shouldn’t do

In Short:

Don’t look at the Sun directly.
Ordinary sunglasses should not be used to view the phenomenon.
Do not look at the reflection of the Sun in the water.
Do not try to view the eclipse with your normal sunlight protecting sunglasses.

Our science, as well as NASA, says that Solar eclipses produce harmful rays. As we, humans, are not able to see all of the wavelengths of light that any light source emits, there are also lots of invisible lights from that light-emitting source including x-rays, infrared light, ultraviolet rays Etc. So, at this time, this high amount of dangerous invisible rays (X-rays, UV rays) can cause us serious blindness.

Why we shouldn’t look at the sun with the naked eye during the eclipse?

You may know that The sun emits more power than our eye is designed to handle, and exposing our eye to that kind of power can damage the retina. And in an open eye, solar eclipses are very dangerous because the sun can come out from behind the moon and “surprise you” before you have a chance to look away.

And this is actually even worse than when you normally look away from the sun because during the total eclipse, it is dark out, and your eye’s pupil increase so that it can let in enough light to get a good picture. Then, when the sun reappears and started lighting the area with really bright light, not only are you staring straight at it, but your eye is in a state where it is wide open, and actively trying to let in as much light as possible. Thus, it damages too much of your eyes.

Only in Total Solar Eclipse, when the moon fully covers the sun you can look at the sun. Because at this time, the dangerous part of the sun is completely covered by the moon. Only the non-dangerous “solar corona” is visible, and it’s one of the most beautiful sights in the universe. You can look at it naked eye, with binoculars, with a telescope, etc.

But even then, it is highly advised and recommended to see solar eclipse with Solar Eclipse Protective Sunglass.

You may also see the NASA and Wikipedia website for more info.

Looking directly at the sun during the eclipse time is totally unsafe. It may cause damage to the retina. The only safe way to look directly at the eclipsed Sun is through special solar filters sunglasses (not your ordinary sunglasses), such as eclipse glasses.

It is also advised that using homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses also not recommended. Even the darkest pair of sunglasses would still transmit far too much sunlight that could damage the eyes.

While using eclipse glasses, NASA recommends shielding one’s eyes before looking up at the sky during a solar eclipse. Only remove the glasses if you’ve completely looked away or once the solar eclipse is over — not before.

Myths – What you can do

One should not cook or eat during the solar eclipse

In many parts of India, people fast during a solar eclipse due to the belief that any food cooked while an eclipse happens will be poisonous and unpure. If there any food left, they should be finished before the eclipse or tulsi leaves should be placed on them and then covered properly. But it is just totally a superstition.

Scientists said: Solar eclipse is just a natural phenomenon and it does not change any property of any food items. It is perfectly safe to prepare and eat food during eclipses.

Pregnant women & children must stay at indoor and they should not work or sleep during the solar eclipse

All of the above are myths. A popular myth is also said that solar eclipse is very dangerous to pregnant women and their unborn children. In many places, young children and pregnant women are asked to stay indoors during a solar eclipse. Pregnant women would give birth to unhealthy and distorted children if they go outdoors is totally baseless.

Scientists said: These myths are also just irrelevant. these myths are also just irrelevant. The only truth is if you are pregnant, you should not go without food or water for too long as it can cause dehydration, which can be bad for both you and your baby.

The solar eclipse is ominous

An eclipse is considered to be inauspicious according to Hindu mythology, and the disappearance of the Sun, even for a short period of time is considered to be unhealthy and unsafe. There is a belief that eclipses are indications of something very bad that is about to happen. They also believe that harmful things develop during this eclipse.

Some sing bhajans and meditate during this period so that they are protected from the evil effects of the eclipse. Makeup or having sexual intercourse during an eclipse is also dangerous.

Scientists said: All above are misconceptions and not relevant at all. It is just a natural phenomenon and there is nothing inauspicious about it and it happens every year.

People should bath after eclipse

Once the eclipse is over, people are instructed to take a bath and change into clean clothes to get rid of whatever was there during the eclipse. It is believed that taking a bath in the Ganga river or just sprinkling the water on oneself will wash away all the evil effects. This ritual is followed very religiously.

Scientists said: It’s totally your choice. There is no connection between the bath and the solar eclipse. You can bath if you want.

Over the years, science and scientists have explained the natural phenomenons like solar and lunar eclipses in every way possible, but still, some people choose to believe what they believed!

Thanks for reading 🙂