Solar eclipse: A mysterious treat

By Damini Singh

The universe is a deep and mysterious place, whose fascinating parts still play hide-and-seek with the human knowledge. Celestial events and occurrences have always baffled and fascinated humankind—even after the particular scientific observation is discovered. The most common occurrence, which single-handedly draws the attention of the whole wide world, is a solar eclipse.

How safe is a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse is a cosmic event when the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth in such a way that it partially or fully blocks the sun. During a total eclipse, the moon fully covers the Sun, while in a partial eclipse; the moon covers only a part. This can happen only at a new moon night when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction as seen from the earth in an alignment—which is referred to as the syzygy.

As marvellous as it is, observing a partial eclipse with the naked eye is hazardous, leading to permanent eye damage—even blindness. Indirect viewing techniques and special eye protection are preventive measures for undisturbed observation of eclipses. It is, however, safe to directly observe a total solar eclipse; however, it is still discouraged since most people cannot recognize the phases of the eclipse.

Historical accounts of eclipses

Many historical accounts of the observational solar eclipses have helped historians in estimating and determining the dates and chronological order of other important historical events. For instance, the mention of a solar eclipse in an Assyrian text, that occurred on June 15, 763 BC, proved to be crucial in determining the historical order of ancient Near East. There is also an unproven claim, linking a solar eclipse with an alleged meteor impact into the Indian Ocean—the link has been derived on the basis of several ancient flood myths that mentioned solar eclipses, due to the many superstitions associated with them.

The first known observation of a total solar eclipse was undertaken via a telescope in early 18^th century France, and some years later, an English physicist successfully predicted and observed a solar eclipse on 3^rd May 1715. By the time of arrival of the mid-century years, astronomical observations and knowledge of the Sun and the eclipses were improving due to continuous observations and better telescopic designs. The observation of the Sun’s corona during a total solar eclipse also led to a rapid increase in the understanding of the star. July 28, 1851, bore witness to the first ever picture of a solar eclipse being clicked. An eclipse that occurred a few years later helped in determining the Sun’s composition after spectroscope observations of the eclipse were done.

Myths and superstitions associated

Each solar eclipse is akin to a beautiful event, with people always being in awe of these celestial bodies. However, in olden times, when the human knowledge was quite limited, humans lived in fear of phenomena they couldn’t understand. With eclipses, a total solar eclipse was considered frightful since there was no explanation as to why the sun would completely disappear in a matter of minutes. This led to the rise of superstitions and apocalyptic theories in faiths and religions, all over the world. These superstitions arose out of a need to explain these occurrences via the only way people knew how to—supernatural interferences. In fact, in some cultures, legends surrounding eclipses involved superhuman figures consuming the sun—or even stealing it.

Greedy demons, thieving dogs, and hungry celestial dragons

In Hinduism, the most popular myth surrounding eclipses involved the celestial figure, Rahu. Rahu was accused of drinking Amrita, the gods’ nectar. He was captured and beheaded. Subsequently, his decapitated head went flying into the sky and swallowed the Sun, thus, causing an eclipse. Devout Hindus, on observing eclipses, in fact, see a constant battle between Rahu (rather, the head) and the sun (Surya).  When the eclipse ends, according to this legend, it is deemed to be Rahu’s inability to digest the sun due to the lack of a body.  Subsequent eclipses are justified as a constant cycle of Rahu’s immortal head (due to the consumption of Amrit) taking his revenge on Surya (the whistleblower, who revealed Rahu’s identity as an asura, during the feast when the gods were consuming the Amrit), and his constant inability to digest it.

Just like this absurd Indian myth, there are superstitions surrounding eclipses in other cultures too, most bearing the common legend of a supernatural figure consuming the sun. In Vietnamese legends, the sun is said to have been devoured by the sun during an eclipse, while in ancient Chinese myths, a celestial dragon is said to have done the same. In fact, chii or shii, the Chinese words for eclipse, etymologically mean “to eat”. Nordish cultures blamed a wolf for eating the sun.

Korean legends offer yet another explanation. According to their folklore, an eclipse is an event that occurs because mythical celestial dogs are attempting to steal the sun! In the Greek culture, eclipses were thought to foretell the beginning of great devastation and disasters for humankind as the gods were angry with them. Similarly, a Tewa tribe from New Mexico believed that a solar eclipse signalled an angry sun that, enraged at humankind, had “left the skies to go home in the underworld”. Inuit folklore said that eclipses occurred due to fights between the Sun goddess and her brother, the moon god.

Modern-day beliefs

Superstitions have not just originated and been believed by people from the ancient earth. Many modern day superstitions surrounding eclipses are rife today too. The fear lives on. People believe eclipses to be harbingers of death and destruction. It is a common, albeit false, belief that eclipses pose a danger to children and pregnant women—many of them are asked to stay indoors for the duration of the event. Another superstition rises from India—in this one, it is believed that food cooked during an eclipse will be poisonous; hence, people refrain from cooking and end up fasting on the day. Surprisingly, a non-apocalyptic superstition existing in Italy says that flowers that are planted during an eclipse will be brighter and more colourful than the ones planted on regular days.

Scientific studies and astronomical observations have rejected these superstitions and legends. There is no evidence whatsoever that suggests that eclipses affect human health, behaviour, or the environment. However, they do advice exercising caution while observing an eclipse.

Important implications

Solar eclipses have had other effects on human history and understanding other than just birthing superstitions. The Greek historian Herodotus wrote of an account, which narrated the incident of how a solar eclipse in 585 BCE stopped the war between the Lydians and the Medes. Both the sides saw the dark sky as a sign to declare peace with each other. In another account, the Greek astronomer Hipparchus determined the distance of the Moon from the earth, using the solar eclipse, and calculated a value of 429,000 km—this figure is just 11% more than the currently accepted value of the average distance. Various Chinese, Byzantine and Indian astronomers and scientists, both from ancient days and current times, have used solar eclipses to predict the characteristics, distances, and other astronomical observations of the Sun and the moon.

Solar eclipses are fantastic events that have both baffled humanity and left them awe-struck. Every solar eclipse is celebrated with immense interest in the world. People set up observation decks, telescopes and use special eye-protection glasses to observe and marvel at this cosmic event—and will hopefully continue to do so for generations to come.

Featured Image Source: Pexels