Sunday July 19, 2009

Of lovers, dragons and trickery

Websights by JOSEPH RAJ

THROUGHOUT the ages, eclipses have evoked both fear and awe in people.

Even in current times, despite science having been able to explain how solar and lunar eclipses happen, many cultures still look at these natural occurrences with some degree of apprehension.

According to http://science.howstuffworks. com/solar-eclipse1.htm, a solar eclipse (like the one that will happen on July 22) occurs when the moon passes in a direct line between the Earth and the sun.

A lunar eclipse, on the other hand, occurs when the Earth blocks all or part of the sun’s rays, preventing them from reaching the moon and thus creating a shadow across the moon (see http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-lunar-eclipse.htm).

Going back to the superstitions and taboos associated with eclipses, many of us will be aware of the ancient Chinese myth about a dragon swallowing the moon and sun, and the need to chase it away by banging drums and shooting fireworks.

This is a picture of a partial solar eclipse seen through a silhouetted pillar of Masjid Abidin Kuala Terengganu on Jan 26.

The Vikings, on the other hand, believed two wolves ran after the Sun and the Moon, and that an eclipse happened when they caught up with their prey.

“They, too, would make as much noise as possible to scare off the beasts,” says an article in the BBC website (see http://news. bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4852690.stm).

Some North American Inuit, however, believe that during an eclipse, the Sun and the Moon temporarily leave their places in the sky to check that things are going all right on Earth.

“And one touching Amazonian myth describes the Sun and the Moon as lovers. They loved each other so much that the Sun’s light scorched the Earth and the Moon’s tears drowned it.

“So, it was decided that they should live apart in the sky and only be allowed to touch each other’s shadow during an eclipse,” the site adds.

Many would regard the superstitions about eclipses as just old wives’ tales.

However. many cultures today still take some type of precaution whenever an eclipse occurs.

According to http://everything2.com/ node/1229133, in India, it is believed that the number of germs increases during an eclipse.'

“Therefore, no food is eaten or cooked during the event, and any food cooked before the eclipse is discarded.

Pregnant women refrain from cutting and sewing during the eclipse, believing the unborn child would be contaminated by the eclipse and become deformed,” it adds.

In Thailand, lucky objects are used to ward off evil omens during a solar eclipse.

“Since black is the colour of Rahu (the demon of darkness), black chicken, black liquor, black beans, black eggs and black rice are thought to be lucky.

“In Japan, some people cover wells to prevent them from getting poisoned by the celestial disease while some Eskimos turn over utensils during a solar eclipse to prevent them from getting tainted,” it adds.

In North America, tradition dictates that Navajos should not eat when there is an eclipse, or they will have a swollen stomach or stomach problems.

They are also not supposed to sleep during an eclipse because their eyes won’t open again (see http://www.navajocentral.org/navajotaboos/taboos_nature.html).

These superstitions and taboos, however, have served some well. One clever trick was that used by Christopher Columbus on Feb 29, 1504, when he was marooned in Jamaica.

According to http://www.space. com/scienceastronomy/solarsystem/lunar_ lore_000118.html, although the islanders had initially brought food and provisions to Columbus while he awaited rescue, his arrogant and overbearing nature alienated the natives and they refused to provide food to him and his crew.

“Facing starvation, Columbus came up with a desperate ploy. Consulting a shipboard almanac and finding that a lunar eclipse was due, he called together the native chiefs and announced to them that God would punish them if they did not supply his crew with food.

And as an omen of God’s intent to punish them, there would be a sign in the sky – God would darken the Moon.

“Right on cue, the Moon started to darken. Columbus dramatically disappeared into his cabin, ignoring the loud pleas from the natives to restore the Moon.

After an interlude of more than an hour, he emerged from his cabin and announced that God was prepared to withdraw the punishment if they agreed to supply him and his crew with everything they needed.

“The native chiefs immediately agreed, and within minutes the Moon started emerging from the shadow.

Columbus got his food and supplies, and from then until he was rescued in June of 1504 the natives continued to supply him,” it adds.

Eclipses, however, did not “serve” others as well. According to http://news.bbc. co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4852690.stm, some time between 2165 BC and 1948 BC, two brothers were appointed by the Chinese Emperor Yao to keep watch on the skies.

“Sadly, they failed to predict an eclipse and the Emperor chopped off their heads,” it adds.

TEN interesting facts about eclipses

(see http://sunearthday.nasa.go/2006/facts.php).

1. The longest duration for a total solar eclipse is 7.5 minutes.

2. A total solar eclipse is not noticeable until the Sun is more than 90% covered by the Moon. At 99% coverage, daytime lighting resembles local twilight.

3. Eclipse shadows travel at 1,100 miles per hour at the equator and up to 5,000 miles per hour near the poles.

4. The width of the Moon’s shadow is at most 170 miles wide.

5. The maximum number of solar eclipses (partial, annular, or total) is five per year. Also, there are at least two solar eclipses per year somewhere on the Earth.

6. Local animals and birds often prepare for sleep or behave confusedly during total eclipses.

7. A total eclipse can only happen during a new moon and they happen about once every year or two.

8. Nearly identical eclipses (total, annual, or partial) occur after 18 years and 11 days, or every 6,585.32 days (Saros Cycle).

9. Local temperatures can drop as much as 20°F during a total solar eclipse.

10. Every eclipse begins at sunrise at some point in its track and ends at sunset about halfway around the world from the start point.

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