Some people say that we shouldn’t eat during a solar eclipse, and some say we shouldn’t go out, pray, sleep, or start something new in our careers. But, does it have scientific explanations? or these are just superstitions? Let’s debunk the mystery together.
What Is A Solar Eclipse?
Earlier people thought that a solar eclipse was responsible for an angry deity and when he devours the sun in the act of angriness, a Solar Eclipse or Surya Grahan occurs. Some people are still believing the same story that has been circulating for decades. Most of them are not aware or just act ignorant during an eclipse.
However, this is not my topic here. Religious beliefs are a personal thing and it doesn’t have a public value, because these aren’t going to change the scientific theory of a solar eclipse.
“A Solar eclipse occurs when the moon’s shadow falls on the earth’s surface, while a lunar eclipse occurs when the earth’s shadow falls on the moon.” Easy definition, right?
Should We Eat Or Avoid During A Solar Eclipse?
People claim that the Sun emits harmful radiation during a solar eclipse. Hence, eating foods should be completely avoided and foods should be kept in the refrigerator instead of leaving the food in an open space at home. Do you think it makes sense that the moon’s shadow would cause the sun to emit a particular kind of harmful radiation?
To be clear, this phenomenon doesn’t affect the Sun in any way to emit harmful radiation. So, now the biggest superstition is that we should not eat during a solar eclipse. If there is no harmful radiation emitted from the Sun during a solar eclipse, then this superstition has been already debunked.
But, there are some conmen, who can demonstrate that food has stale during an eclipse by moving a rosary over the food. Ridiculous!
Should We Look Directly At The Sun During A Solar Eclipse?
People are advised not to stare directly at the sun during a solar eclipse. This is the only superstition that is legit and has a scientific explanation. We all remember experimenting in school, where we put a piece of paper under a lens, and the sun’s rays converged, causing the paper to burn. Similarly, our eyes have a similar lens. The ultraviolet rays fall on our eyes if we gaze directly at the sun, they converge and possibly harm the retina of our eyes. It is called Solar Retinopathy.
It is similar to what happens if you point your camera straight at the sun without a filter, the lens of the camera concentrates rays on the sensor, which can damage the sensor of older cameras. Therefore, the logic that one shouldn’t stare at a solar eclipse with naked eyes is always valid. But why is it issued only during the eclipse? Because nobody usually looks at the Sun on a bright sunny day without any reason.
What Are The Safe Methods To See A Solar Eclipse?
Everyone wants to see the sun when a solar eclipse occurs, but there are several safe ways to observe it. First, you can use solar filters, also called eclipse glasses. They’re specially designed to observe solar eclipses. Choose ones that meet international safety standards.
The second option you have, using a telescope with a solar filter, which is a good method of seeing it, or using welding glasses with a sufficiently high number shade 12, or higher, is the third option suggested by experts. If you don’t have other options, you can see the eclipse through pinhole projection. By going in the shade of a tree, the leaves create tiny pinholes, so when the shadow of those falls on the ground, you will be able to observe the solar eclipse.
A solar eclipse is a great event that is seen rarely, so we should enjoy the moment and observe the things happening. I have always found it thrilling to observe the sun getting covered. Even I also thought that the sun was being swallowed by some angry deity during my childhood, but then I got to know the facts later. However, do not believe the superstitions that persist today, because they are based on baseless assumptions.
