Solar Eclipse Myths 2017: Safety Tips To Watch Aug. 21 Celestial Event

Americans are eagerly waiting for the solar eclipse passing over the United States on Aug. 21 that can be viewed by more than 300 million people. Every state in the U.S. can get a partial view of the eclipse when the Moon completely covers the Sun, according to NASA.

While many know of the risks of watching a solar eclipse with naked eyes, the celestial event has been viewed by millions over the years. However, there are several misconceptions surrounding solar eclipse. Below are few such myths busted by NASA.

1. Many believe solar eclipse produces rays that can cause blindness. Scientists say that there is nothing in the coronal light can cause blindness. However, getting a glimpse of the solar surface after watching the sun before totality can cause retinal damage. But, humans typically respond to such a case by quickly looking away or closing their eyes.

2. Pregnant women should not watch an eclipse as it may harm the baby. Well, according to NASA this is false. "Deep in the solar interior where nuclear fusion takes place to light the sun, particles called neutrinos are born, and zip unimpeded out of the sun and into space. They also pass through the solid body of the moon during the eclipse and a second or so later reach Earth and pass through it too! Every second, your body is pelted by trillions of these neutrinos no matter if the sun is above or below the horizon. The only consequence is that every few minutes a few atoms in your body are transmuted into a different isotope by absorbing a neutrino. This is an entirely harmless effect and would not harm you, or if you are pregnant, the developing fetus," according to NASA.

3. Preparing food during a solar eclipse is not harmful and neither does the solar rays poison the food, according to NASA. Even though the greenish hue of the corona formed after the disk of the moon fully covers the sun looks frightening, it has no effect on what food is being cooked at that particular moment.

4. Solar eclipses have been associated with bad events, but that's not true. The celestial event in no way is linked to any deaths during the time.

5. Solar eclipses do not foretell major life changes that are about to happen and has no link to astrological forecasts. It is only the human psychology that connects life changes to the celestial event.

With just two days before the total solar eclipse of 2017, here's a refresher of the safety tips to watch the celestial phenomenon. NASA suggests that people watching the eclipse must check the authenticity of their glasses before using them.

NASA recommends that people who plan to view the eclipse should check the safety authenticity of viewing glasses to ensure they meet basic proper safety viewing standards.

“While NASA isn’t trying to be the eclipse safety glasses ‘police,’ it’s our duty to inform the public about safe ways to view what should be a spectacular sky show for the entire continental United States,” Alex Young, associate director for science in the Heliophysics Science Division at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, said. “It’s important that individuals take the responsibility to check they have the proper solar eclipse viewing glasses. With the eclipse a month away today, it’s prudent to practice ahead of time.”

The criteria are mentioned below:

• Have certification information with a designated ISO 12312-2 international standard
• Have the manufacturer’s name and address printed somewhere on the product
• Not be used if they are older than three years, or have scratched or wrinkled lenses
• Do not use homemade filters
• Ordinary sunglasses -- even very dark ones -- should not be used as a replacement for eclipse viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers