An Astrophysicist's perspective on superstitions: treat eclipses as a natural celestial event

• Image Credit: Internet

• Nov 8, 2022 | Sourav Boruah

Digital Desk: A
renowned astrophysicist has advocated for accepting eclipses as normal
celestial occurrences and rejecting superstitious beliefs about them.

mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin">A total lunar
eclipse will be seen in several parts of India and the rest of the world on
Tuesday, only a fortnight after a partial solar eclipse.

mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin">Debi Prasad
Duari, an astrophysicist, noted that despite the significant advances in space
science and technology in the twenty-first century, it is regrettable that some
people still believe in superstitions associated to these kinds of natural
celestial happenings.

mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin">He advised
against believing in such things and to simply take the occurrence as a normal
celestial occurrence.

mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin">The superstitions
surrounding a solar or lunar eclipse are widespread not only in the nation but
also in various regions of the world, according to Mr. Duari, a fellow of the
Royal Astronomical Society and International Astronomical Union.

mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin">People in India
refrain from eating or cooking during eclipses. During these celestial
phenomena, some people don't even leave their homes.

mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin">Some people also
hold the opinion that pregnant women shouldn't leave their houses during an
eclipse because exposure to it could harm the foetus.

mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin">However, compared
to lunar eclipses, superstitions related to solar eclipses are more prevalent.

mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin">An eclipse won't
have any impact on our way of life, our actions, our present or our past,
according to Mr. Duari.

mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin">Additionally,
some individuals believe that pregnant women shouldn't leave their homes during
an eclipse because the foetus might be harmed by exposure to it.

mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin">Solar eclipse
superstitions are more common than lunar eclipse superstitions, though.

mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin">According to Mr.
Duari, an eclipse won't have any effect on our way of life, our deeds, our
present, or our past.

The celestial event will be visible
from India and other regions of Asia, North and South America, Australia, the
north Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean, he added.