Solar Eclipse, what we know about it?
Solar eclipse is a state when sun, moon and earth come in a straight line. There are three main kind of solar eclipse, viz. total darkness, annularity and hybrid. In total darkness moon completely overshadows the sun and we don't see any part of sun, this last for very short duration for one or 2 minutes. Annularity, when we get partial eclipse or moon is not able to cover entire sun, this is because orbit of moon is slight elliptical and with distance its apparent size varies, hence we sometimes see smaller moon and sometimes larger.Hybrid, it is combination of both, in some portion we see total darkness and in some portion we see partial. The reason behind it is the trace of moon. Please don't get confused by partial eclipse and annularity. Partial term means moon does not covers entire sun, where as annularity is a subclass of partial but here it is not able to cover entire sun is because of its size (coinciding centers of Sun and Moon but still partial cover)
Myth associated with darkness
Solar eclipse have been observed since ages and many have their own story to answer this strange behavior. China have story of dragon eating the sun, even meaning of solar eclipse in Chinese is 'to eat'. In Indian mythology its Rahu and Ketu (demons) gulping the sun. Egypt, Babylon all have witness this and have their own story. A poem by Archilochus (680-645 BC), a Greek poet clearly depict a total solar eclipse:
"Nothing there is beyond hope,
nothing that can be sworn impossible,
nothing wonderful, since Zeus,
father of the Olympians,
made night from mid-day,
hiding the light of the shining Sun,
and sore fear came upon men."
But this fictions are not doesn't end in that time, in 19th century Chinese ship blasted a cannon to scare away the dragon. In India it is still consider as inauspicious, they get themselves submerged at the time of solar eclipse.
Is it really harmful?
When I was small in class of third grade, my Daddy, noticed sudden darkness. We all went outside and then he impeded on my ears, its solar eclipse, he ran into the home in a blink and warned me not to look. I was so scared looking at his eagerness and he got his polarize lenses. After he confirmed it he let me see through it. I remember it was not total eclipse but why didn't he allowed me to see it directly. I kept it with myself. Latter after some days, I saw my Mummy worshiping the sun by pouring Kalash(1) full of water and praying some silent mantras. When she applied Kumku(2) gazing at sun, the question within me pushed out, I asked why that day I was not allowed to see the sun and now staring is fine. She told me that gazing at morning sun is fine, it is healthy and spiritually good. It have shaken me with unsatisfactory answer.
I kept seeing people preparing for solar eclipse, with protected goggles. But I could not get answer to my question.Why it is fine to see the sun but not the solar eclipse? With time I came across story of Galileo how he lost his eye sight because he used to stare at sun. Definitely it has some bad effect. But what is that? Staring at sun causes damage to retina, this is also know as retinopathy in medical term. Then my question refined, which is harmful normal sun or overcasted Sun? I have been asking to many people but could not get any satisfactory answer. If staring at sun cause blindness then nothing should happen in total eclipse.
Possibilities of harmful effect of solar eclipse:
1> Sunlight contains UV, although it is filtered by ozone layer but still, which have harmful effect on living tissue. So no matter in what small amount its still there, hence it is there in partial solar eclipse.
2> Solar eclipse generally occurs in day, when it is dark and suddenly it becomes dark at eclipse. So when it become dark our pupil dilate, its an involuntary action. This filter more light to get in, with more light more UV and with more UV more problems.
3> Solar eclipse doesn't last long, generally from a min to half an hour, We can still say it is sudden change of luminosity of light and we suddenly take in more light than what we have to.
But my question is still unanswered, this all effect we see in normal sun then why are so cautious. The main reason which I feel most appropriate so far is, we tent to gaze at this artistic spectacle of nature and knowing it we gaze at it. So probably to help us while observing the rare event these goggles have be made. I have also heard someone saying at this time bio activity gets enhance and chance of getting infection increases, this is not even close to the truth.
Some portion which are related to this topic are,
Biologically we have pigment in our skin know as melanin, has a capacity to generate vitamin D. But it should be done in morning or evening sun as light travel longer near the horizon and it get purified as it passes through atmosphere. Staring at sun is also included in yoga Tratak(3), but have to maintain proper timing with sun and usually done by advance learner. But like usually no one will recommend to do it even at dull sun. For spiritual liberation of soul, Yogi used to meditate at setting sun. But proper support of science is not available, yet.
I hope I have put in enough to clear most of the misconception regarding solar eclipse, but reader are free to question me, suggest me, put in more idea about it, this all will help me to grow in right path.
Thank you
Footnote:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1- Kalash is holy vessel, generally used to store water. It is also know as offering when it is covered with coconut with mango leaves.
2- Kumku is sacred and traditional powder which married Indian women will apply on their forehead between the bow as symbol of their married-hood.
3-Tratak is advance yogic procedure for meditation, where one concentrate on spot, object, or within mind a flame.
