Solar Eclipse : Myths and Facts
It is pure magic. Even as its brilliance is hidden by the moon, the sun looks as majestic as ever during a solar eclipse.
On the 1st of August, 2008, many parts of the world witnessed total solar eclipse.
There have been several popular superstitions attached with the eclipse and have been passed down the generations.
Pregnant women are advised not to go outside during the eclipse to avoid having a blind baby or one with a cleft lip.
It is also suggested that food cooked before the eclipse should be thrown out afterward as it becomes impure.
Another interesting story attached with the eclipse is that those who are holding a knife or axe or any other sharp instrumet during the eclipse will cut themselves.
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Ancient Chinese eclipse records can be used to calculate the slowing of the earth’s rotation, due to the braking action of the moon.
A solar eclipse in 1919 helped confirm Einstein’s theory of general relativity!!
Eclipses are also scientifically interesting because they allow a rare glimpse of the cooler corona, glowing gases near the sun’s surface and solar flares, which are normally not visible due to the brightness of the sun.
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The next solar eclipse will occur on July 22, 2009, and could be viewed by hundreds of millions of people as it crosses straight through India and northern Bangladesh, then runs along the Yangtze River from Chongqing to Shanghai.
Image Source : ibnlive
Author : Priya
interesting post
There are a few other which my grandma talks about:
Pregnant women are not supposed to do any work with a needle,knife or scissors (basically any sharp object) because of the risk of physical mutations in their baby.
Eating is generally not allowed during an eclipse for the same reasons of impurity.
Sometimes, even bathing after a solar eclipse is recommended.
The only thing I am sure of is ‘Never look at the eclipsed sun directly!’
Do read up on the proof of the theory of relativity though. It is vry interesting but abstract.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tests_of_general_relativity
Interesting facts indeed!!!
did u know……………..
the world is gonna end before i graduate:(
oh well iwasnt going to graduate any way!
hehehe……guess d doom can perhaps wait until u graduate champ….gud luck….
nice
but try to send more about solar eclpse and it myths
if possible send the information to my mail id but send me within a day or two!!!!!!!!
Well, I might have to deliver my baby on July 22, 2009. I do hope the baby will come on July 23rd. I never heard any of the stories above. Normally I’m quite superstitious but don’t want to be it now for the sake and healt of my baby. Well, I’m not going to have the baby in India…perhaps that should count for something. I will have it in Sweden.
I really hope all will go well. Then there are MANY who will actually deliver their baby on July 22nd and who haven’t read this information. I’m sure their babies will be fine.