Surya Grahan 2019 Today: Timings And Diet Myths Related To Total Solar Eclipse Busted

The season of eclipses is about to begin with the first heavenly spectacle scheduled for tomorrow. Sky watchers are all set to witness a total solar eclipse (surya grahan) of 2019 today, 2nd July. Eclipse has been considered a significant celestial event by humans since time immemorial and seems like 2019 is going to give us a number of opportunities to witness this beautiful phenomenon. The total solar eclipse will begin at around 06:24pm GMT (around 11:54pm India time). 

Surya Grahan (Total Solar Eclipse) Timings

The timings of the total solar eclipse will be different in different parts of the globe, but according to IST or Indian time, the solar eclipse (surya grahan) will begin at 11:54pm, whereas the partial solar eclipse is set to start at 12:55pm EDT (around 10:25pm India time). You might be able to catch the amazing natural phenomenon live on your television screen in India.

Also Read: Lunar Eclipse 2018: "Fear Should Be Shunned And Not Propagated", A Clinical Nutritionist Shares Facts Around Lunar Eclipse

Surya Grahan 2019: False Beliefs Around Eating During Total Solar Eclipse

A number of major myths and superstitions related to partial solar eclipse revolve around beliefs of toxic radiations, which are said to infiltrate the environment and turn eatables poisonous. People even avoid chopping vegetables, fruits and other food items while the solar eclipse is happening.

^{Surya Grahan 2019: Some people believe that eating or cooking during eclipse is harmful}

Surya Grahan 2019: Science, Experts Dispel Diet Myths Related To Total Solar Eclipse

Scientists have time and again stressed on the fact that myths around not consuming food or water during an eclipse should not be propagated or believed as the logic or reasoning behind them is not sound. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in America has addressed the belief related to food turning poisonous during solar eclipses by saying, "Related to the false idea of harmful solar rays is that during a total solar eclipse, some kind of radiation is produced that will harm your food. If that were the case, the same radiations would harm the food in your pantry, or crops in the field." It added by saying that the myths take hold due to circumstantial evidence, and hence, cannot be applied to all situations everywhere: "If someone is accidentally food-poisoned with potato salad during an eclipse, some might argue that the event was related to the eclipse itself even though hundreds of other people at the same location were not at all affected."

Clinical nutritionist, Dr. Rupali Dutta believes that there is no reason to be scared of food poisoning at the time of an eclipse. "There's a difference between going completely berserk and exercising moderate control. There is no harm in having light meals (during the solar eclipse)."

Before reaching South America, the 2019 total solar eclipse will strike a bunch of remote islands in the Pacific Ocean. Oeono Island will witness the total solar eclipse for around 2 minutes and 53 seconds.

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