Page 12 - Curiosity_June_2020_FB

12
June 2020
Do you Know
Eclipses, along with the excitement,
bring rumours and stories that create NIDHI SHRIVASTAVA confusion in our minds. This time, let us
find out the truth behind such rumours.
Q+A
Q. 1. Do any “special rays” emitted during a solar Eclipse?
A. 1. During the eclipse, the radiations emitted by the Sun remains the same as in any other day. However, Moon by coming
in between the Earth & the Sun blocks the Sun’s radiation at places on the Earth where Eclipse is visible.
Q. 2. How the Moon, which is smaller than the Earth, able to cover the whole Sun during a total Solar Eclipse?
A. 2. The size of the Moon is
400 times smaller than the Sun. Coincidentally, the Moon is also 400 times closer to the Earth than to the Sun is. Thus, when seen from the Earth, the apparent size of Moon appears to be equal to the apparent size of the Sun.
Q. 3. Is it safe to cook or eat food during the eclipse?
A. 3. Eclipse is a natural phenomenon. It doesn’t cause any harm to the food we cook or eat.
Q. 4. Is watching the solar eclipse is harmful to pregnant women or its fetus?
A. 4. Due to the misconceptions, people believed the pregnant women should not view or step out of the house at the time of the eclipse. Everyone, including pregnant women, can watch the eclipse with proper solar filter/goggle.
Q. 5. Is it safe to step out of the home during the eclipse?
A. 5. Anyone can go out and watch this rare event with proper safety measures as looking at the Sun directly with naked eyes may
harm your eyes.
Q. 6. Is it necessary to take a bath after an eclipse?
A. 6. Taking a bath twice a day is advisable for the personal hygine of an individual. However, there
is no necessity to take a shower before, during, or after the eclipse.
Q. 7. Do eclipses bring bad lucks?
A. 7. Eclipse is a beautiful, natural and rare celestial phenomenon that everybody should watch and enjoy. It doesn’t cause any harm to anyone.
Dr. Nidhi Shrivastava is a Project Scientist at Vigyan Prasar.