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| - Last Updated on April 19, 2024 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
Solar eclipses, mesmerising celestial occurrences, have often been linked to conspiracy theories and superstitions. Certain cultures connect them to imminent disasters, illness, or divine anger. Scientific community has tried to refute these beliefs time and again, uncovering the eclipse as a natural event governed by astronomical principles, presenting a stunning display rather than a catastrophe. We came across a social media post that claims solar eclipse can make you sick. We did the fact check and termed it false.
The Claim
According to an Instagram post, the solar eclipse on 8th of April has resulted in people feeling nauseated and having strange symptoms. It further states, “Numerous people are reporting getting nauseated and having other strange symptoms after the eclipse today. Also, the skies everywhere were thick with MASSIVE amounts of chemtrails. More than I’ve ever seen. I have to think these two things are related. Thoughts?”
Fact Check
When does a solar eclipse occur?
A solar eclipse happens when the moon moves between the Earth and the sun, blocking out the sunlight. This occurs during the new moon phase when the three celestial bodies align in such a way that the moon casts its shadow on Earth, creating either a total or partial eclipse, depending on where you are on the planet.
What are chemtrails?
‘Chemtrails‘ is a term used in conspiracy theories to refer to the visible trails left behind by aircraft in the sky. Some conspiracy theorists believe that these trails are not just the normal condensation trails (contrails) formed by aircraft exhaust but are instead chemicals deliberately sprayed into the atmosphere for undisclosed purposes. It is often speculated to include weather modification, population control, or other foul motives. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. The atmospheric scientists believe that chemtrails are a misconception, with contrails being the actual explanation for the trails observed behind aircraft.
Were there deliberate chemtrails released by the government agencies to make people sick?
No, there is no proof to support this claim. During the eclipse, there was a rise in air traffic, which was expected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This was because a large number of people wanted to view the solar eclipse from the sky. The increased number of flights on that day resulted in the formation of condensation trails by aeroplanes, not chemtrails. It’s important to note that chemtrails are a misconception. Experts have confirmed that neither contrails nor the eclipse itself are responsible for causing illness.
Is ‘eclipse sickness’ real?
No, eclipse sickness is not real. Despite occasional reports of people feeling unwell during solar eclipses, there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of a specific illness associated with these celestial events. Any physical discomfort or psychological effects experienced by individuals during an eclipse are more likely attributed to factors such as anxiety (Hypochondria ー Illness Anxiety Disorder), dehydration, or improper viewing of the sun without adequate eye protection. While it’s essential to take precautions and care for one’s well-being during an eclipse, there is no need to worry about a specific illness known as ‘eclipse sickness’.
We have also done fact checks on ‘Should you stare at the solar eclipse with your bare eyes?‘ and ‘Why superstitions about solar eclipse can be harmful?‘
Does the sun emit harmful radiation during a solar eclipse?
No, that is not the case. In the past, there was a widespread misconception that a total solar eclipse could emit harmful radiation. This was because of concerns about electromagnetic radiation. However, during a total solar eclipse, the only visible light we see is the corona, which is perfectly safe. The corona is the outer atmosphere of the sun, and the electromagnetic radiation it emit poses no danger to observers on the planet Earth.
Beyond visible light, there’s another type of radiation produced within the sun during its nuclear fusion processes. This radiation comes in the form of tiny particles called neutrinos. Neutrinos are extremely small, neutral particles that can pass through matter without interacting with it. They are produced deep within the sun’s core and travel outward.
During a solar eclipse, when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, neutrinos continue their journey uninterrupted. They pass through the solid body of the moon and then through the Earth. Despite the vast number of neutrinos passing through us every second (even when there is no solar eclipse) – estimated to be in the trillions – they do not pose any harm to living organisms.
Neutrinos are so tiny and interact so weakly with matter that they can pass through the human body and the entire Earth without any significant interactions. Occasionally, a neutrino may interact with an atom in our bodies, causing a slight change in its composition. However, this process is entirely harmless and has no adverse effects on human health.
Even for pregnant women, the passage of neutrinos during a solar eclipse poses no risk to the developing foetus. The changes caused by neutrino interactions are insignificant and do not result in any harmful effects.
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