We all are familiar with solar eclipse in our life and we should know about solar eclipse fundamentals. Sometimes we are lucky to see full solar eclipse if we reside at that particular area of earth where full solar eclipse happen. But at the same time people have some misbelief regarding solar eclipse like not to take food during eclipse, pregnant women dont come out of home, dont roam outside home etc.
Now what is solar eclipse?
Solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, block Sun’s light fully or partially from reaching Earth.
How it happens –
Alignment of Sun, Moon and Earth
The Sun, Moon, and Earth have to be perfectly aligned in a straight line or nearly. This alignment only happens during the new moon phase.
Shadow of Moon
The Moon casts a shadow on the Earth. This shadow has two main parts:
- Umbra: The central and darkest part of earth where the Sun is being completely blocked by moon. If people are in the umbra, they will see a total solar eclipse.
- Penumbra: The outer and lighter area of earth where the Sun is being only partially blocked by moon. If people are in the penumbra area, they will see a partial solar eclipse.
Different types of Solar Eclipses
Total eclipse –
Here the Moon completely covers the Sun.
Partial eclipse –
Only part of the Sun is covered.
Hybrid eclipse –
Shifts between total and annular along different parts of its path.
Annular eclipse –
The distance of moon from earth is farther and appears smaller, so it doesn’t cover the entire Sun. This creates a “ring of fire.”
Misbeliefs that people carry regarding solar eclipse are –
Not to Cook, not to eat during Solar eclipse
It is superstition that people should not eat anything during solar eclipse, it may cause adverse effects on health. Some people think that even cooking is also harmful during solar eclipse. Both cooking and eating propaganda is not scientific. There is no scientific evidence regarding relation of adverse health effects during solar eclipse.
Roaming outside home
Roaming outside home during solar eclipse is not good. Superstitious people think that during solar eclipse some harmful rays may effect on skin of people. But scientists proved that during Solar eclipse no such harmful rays emitted that can cause skin problem.
Affect on pregnant women
It is said that pregnant women should not go outside home during solar eclipse. If they go outside home newborn may affected with some inborn shade or newborn baby might be handicaped. This wrong thinking also proved by scientists very early.
Taking bath after solar eclipse
Ignorant people used to bath after solar eclipse. They thought that due to solar eclipse harmful rays may affect their skin. So that they used to bath to wipe out harmful rays from their skin or outer body surface. This is also wrong which is proved by scientists. Scientists told that in normal condition what rays come out from sun, during solar eclipse same rays are coming out. No such extraordinary harmful rays come out from sun during solar eclipse.
Looking solar eclipse by naked eyes
It is always advisable to avoid looking sun by naked eyes either normal condition or during solar eclipse. Scientists tell that, during solar eclipse intensity of sunlight become low, so people may look towards sun for long time which may effect on eyes. So that they advise to use aluminum coating layer or some polymer. NASA also advise to use protective goggles.
