A total solar eclipse is an amazing phenomenon that our generation has been lucky to witness many times. The recent one that occurred on 22nd July 2009, the second in a series of three eclipses has evoked a lot of interest both among the astronomical and the astrological communities. The myths and beliefs are innumerable but few do hold ground scientifically. What follows is my attempt to identify those myths which do have at least some scientific reasoning behind them.
How an eclipse affects the earth
An eclipse occurs when the sun, moon and the earth are in a single line. When the moon is in between the sun and the earth, we witness a solar eclipse and when the earth is between the sun and the moon, we witness a lunar eclipse. Solar eclipses are of two types, ‘Total’ where the sun is completely covered by the moon and ‘Annular’ where the moon is unable to completely cover the face of the sun. This difference is due to the variation in distance between the sun, moon and earth.
The first and obvious effect is that day turns to night as the photosphere of the sun is blocked. Sun rays cannot reach earth during that brief time. So darkness follows with a small cooling effect as heat from sun is cutoff.
The second and most important effect is the reduction in radiation. The sudden cutoff causes immediate drop in radiation and this is what is believed to affect living beings. The same happens during day and night but it is happens slowly.Kazadzis et.al. (2007) in their study of the 29/03/07 solar eclipse have clearly shown that changes in radiation are not within typical limits.
The third and most controversial of the effects is that of gravity. Debates still rage on how profound the change in gravity is and how it affects us. One fact is certain that there is change, very small, almost negligible, but nonetheless there is a change in the pull of gravity. Maurice Allias in 1954 showed with the help of a pendulum that during an eclipse its plane of oscillation is affected. Saxl and Allen in 1970 showed change in behavior of a torsion pendulum. Both these discoveries are yet debated on.
Centuries old pregnancy myths.
Myth no. 1 – Stay indoors during an eclipse
When in broad daylight and suddenly we see darkness, anybody by virtue of curiosity is bound to look skywards. In the old days maybe people did the same and in the process affected their eyes. It has been proved that looking at a partial eclipse damages eyes. Let’s not forget that in the olden there were no eclipse sunglasses or cd’s for that matter. Hence an eclipse came to be associated with damaging the eyes, and word of mouth kept adding to it so the myth of staying indoors. As of today no proof of any other damage while outdoors during an eclipse exists. So enjoy the eclipse with protective eye gear of course.
Myth no.2 – Not to cut, sow, stitch or handle sharp objects
The myth says that a pregnant woman should not handle any sharp objects and avoid any risk of injury. Once again not completely true, though not completely false either. Doctors have argued that sensitive people (i.e. people whom changes in weather affect more than others) show increased level of nervousness and blood pressure. A pregnant lady qualifies as sensitive and injuries during an eclipse are believed to take longer to heal. Further research is definitely required in this area.
Myth no. 3 – Not to eat during an eclipse
As above blood pressure is believed to rise and give way to complications. Also another argument given is that decrease in radiation causes germs to grow more freely and rapidly. But nothing of this sort has been proved till date so enjoy your meal.
Myth no.4 – Birth defects and birth marks
The radiation decrease and almost negligible change in gravity have been long blamed for various birth deformations such as cleft lips etc. but none have been proved till date. Of the many millions of babies born after the eclipse some unfortunately have to suffer minor problems. Rumors, word of mouth and ambitious story tellers spin them off into scariest of myths. There is no reason to believe in them. There are many more myths about an eclipse that do the rounds.
A solar eclipse is a very beautiful natural phenomenon on the grandest of scales. Pregnancy is one time when it is important not to worry but rather enjoy such things. So take care, enjoy the magical moment in the sky if you can and also the magical moments that are yet to come.
