When I was younger, about five years old,  I was told by my mother that solar eclipse happened because a serpent – like creature attempted to swallow the sun. When I was in the primary grade, I was told that solar eclipse caused evil spirits to roam around the earth and I was told not to go out because they might take me with them.

Such myths have been circulating especially in remote areas where superstition takes its hold and is firmly rooted and scientific explanations and facts are strange items. In India, a group of people believed that a serpent – like creature comes before and after the solar eclipse. So they rather stay at home than go out. There are also age old myths such as  food are spoiled during solar eclipse, pregnant women do not go out during the phenomenon due to fear of losing the baby.

And with the occurence of solar eclipse just a couple of hours ago (July 22, 2009), some people still continue to believe that such myths are true.

But what really causes a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and the earth so that the sun is partially or fully covered. As a result the sun’s bright face is replaced by the moon’s dark disk. The moon casts shadow to the sun’s light as viewed from the Earth. It may occur two up to five times a year. It is one of nature’s awe inspiring spectacles.

So serpent- like creatures and evil spirits have nothing to do with this phenomenon. There is nothing to fear about it because just like any other natural phenomena, it should be fully explained and understood. As the longest solar eclipse shrouded some of the Earth’s regions (referring to the most recent solar eclipse) , let it be said that everyone should be enlightened with the scientific explanation behind solar eclipse.