The total solar eclipse is set to happen on April 8, 2024, leaving several viewers within the path excited for what's to come. But aside from them, scientists are also excited for this rare opportunity to gather invaluable data.
What Scientists Hope to Learn From the Total Solar Eclipse
According to Pam Melroy, the NASA Deputy Administrator, total solar eclipses offer great scientific opportunities. Melroy also explains when the Moon directly passes in front of the Sun and ends up blocking it, the Sun's coronal will become visible in a unique and special way. The corona's heat will intensify with distance from the surface of the sun.
During a solar eclipse, the corona's most bottom part becomes more clearly visible compared to when using special instruments to block the Sun's central part. Shannon Schmoll, the director of Michigan State University's Abrams Planetarium, says that this could offer a golden study opportunity.
Moreover, this solar eclipse will also give scientists the chance to look into changes in the Earth's ionosphere, or upper atmosphere. This layer is crucial as it impacts radio waves that are used for navigation and communication.
Kelly Korreck, the eclipse program manager at the headquarters of NASA, explains that such layer disturbances could lead to issues with communications and GPS. The major sunlight decrease that the eclipse would provoke and the localized and rapid sunset will allow researchers to know more about the impact of light on the ionosphere. This could aid with predicting potential disruptions that are problematic.
Aside from this, previously, odd animal behavior was observed during solar eclipse. For instance, crickets and roosters were seen chirping and crowing, while giraffes were seen galloping.
While eclipses clearly result in a sunlight drop, it appears that wind and temperatures also significantly decrease when an eclipse happens.
Ornithology researcher Andrew Farnsworth from Cornell University looks into the impacts of eclipses on birds. The researcher makes use of a weather surveillance radar to pick up flying birds.
In the last solar eclipse, scientists were able to see a plummet in flying animals. This eclipse disrupted the daily activities of birds and animals. However, it did not lead to any odd nocturnal animal behaviors.
Fransworth notes that this time, birds could be more apt for migration during the eclipse, as it is happening in April this time. The researcher adds that such patterns are crucial for understanding the perception of animals towards the world.
Read also: 2024 Total Solar Eclipse: NASA's Map Reveals Timing as It Sweeps Across U.S. States on April 8
What Viewers Should and Shouldn't Do During a Total Solar Eclipse
As for viewers, there are also some things to keep in mind during a total solar eclipse.
For one, for those who are in the path of totality, it is important to not look directly to the Sun as this could lead to serious eye damage or blindness. For safe watching, it is important to use a pinhole camera or special eclipse glasses.
Homemade filters, such as unverified materials or sunglasses, should be avoided as they do not offer enough protection.
Moreover, for safety purposes, it is important to keep the eclipse glasses consistently on. During the eclipse, even brief exposure to the Sun could result in eye damage.
NASA also says that while wearing eclipse glasses or making use of a solar viewer that is handheld, one must not view the Sun through binoculars, telescopes, camera lens, or other optical devices. This could also result in eye injury.
For those who are driving, it is also important to drive with headlights on. As for picture-taking, it is important to ensure that one has protection for both the eyes and the device. Children should also not be allowed to watch the eclipse without the supervision of their parents.
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