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Total Solar Eclipse 2019: The myths and precautions pregnant ladies need to take during Surya Grahan
Most people are aware that staring at the solar eclipse with a naked eye can have some side effects. The celestial event is also considered as "bad omen". Read on to know everything about the Solar Eclipse or Surya Grahan as it is called in India.
Solar Eclipse is a phenomenon that takes place when the moon is in between the Earth and Sun and generates an Eclipse of the sun. This will be visible over Argentina and Chile in the Pacific and across South America. It will not be visible in India as it will take place at 10.25 pm IST.
This phenomenon occurs very rarely and one can look at it but not with a naked eye as during the eclipse, the amount of light reduces which causes the pupils to dilate and hence allows more harmful rays to enter the eye in a very short span of time. These rays can be extremely harmful and even end up burning parts of the retina and once the retina is damaged, there is no cure. The vision becomes permanently affected.
According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), if people do want to see the Eclipse taking place, they must view and indirect way to view it like wear eclipse glasses to protect your eyes from the harmful rays.
Many cultures even view this time as a "bad omen" for pregnant women who are often advised to stay indoors with the children. The belief is that this celestial event poses as a health risk to foetuses and can even cause physical deformities like cleft lips or birthmarks. Many doctors and scientists have debunked this myth.
In India, a number of communities believe that one should refrain from eating or drinking during this period since the magnetic field and UV rays are extremely potent at this time. As per Yogic practice, it is believed that people must avoid food intake once it gets dark but like the previous myth, scientists have debunked this myth as well. It is still advised by doctors and scientists that, to watch the solar eclipse after safeguarding the eyes, to protect oneself from permanent eye damage.
