The rare and awe-inspiring “ring of fire” eclipse, which occurred last Saturday and obscured 98 percent of the sun’s surface, left viewers spellbound. However, the upcoming total solar eclipse in 2024 promises to be an even more extraordinary event.
On April 8, 2024, when the eclipse will traverse the United States, the sun will be approaching its most active phase, known as Solar Maximum, where it showcases heightened sunspots, intensified light and radiation, and frequent bursts of charged particles from the sun’s surface, leading to solar storms that can potentially disrupt satellites, communication systems, and power grids on Earth.
Being on the cusp of a Solar Maximum also means that it’s a prime time for witnessing an eclipse.
The synergy of elevated solar activity and a total eclipse offers a unique opportunity to observe the sun’s outer edges. This alignment coincides with an era where researchers possess an array of cutting-edge scientific instruments to study our star, providing unparalleled insights into its effects on our planet and atmosphere.
Astrophysicist Kelly Korreck of NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., asserts that this rare celestial event has triggered a flurry of scientific endeavors, with numerous projects aimed at comprehending the sun and its influence on Earth.
This incredible opportunity extends beyond the scientific community, emphasizing the participation of citizen scientists in solar research projects. Korreck notes, “There’s a lot of emphasis on citizen science and having folks join NASA in doing [solar] science projects.”
Here are several ways you can actively contribute to scientific endeavors during the upcoming eclipse
:
1. Assist in Creating an Enhanced Eclipse Megamovie
Volunteers positioned along the path of totality, where the sun will be completely obscured by the moon, will capture images of the eclipse. These images will be stitched together to create a comprehensive movie documenting the entire event, as it traverses from Texas to Maine. The 2024 Eclipse Megamovie is an improved iteration of the 2017 project, the first-ever crowdsourced collection of total eclipse images
transformed into a movie.
The primary objective in 2017 was to inspire people to witness the eclipse in person. However, in 2024, the goal is to gather data in a more structured manner, with the intention of generating publishable results. Volunteers equipped with high-quality cameras mounted for precise tracking of the sun’s path will capture images optimized for scientific research.
To contribute images for the movie, volunteers are required to apply by October 31. The Eclipse Megamovie collaboration will provide sun-tracking mounts to up to 100 volunteers free of charge. Those who miss the volunteer application deadline or lack the necessary equipment to capture images can still participate by assisting in data analysis in the months following the eclipse.
2. Contribute to Understanding the Sun’s Shape
Even if you possess just a smartphone camera, you can still make a valuable scientific contribution, provided you can reach the path of totality. Using the SunSketcher app, you can help time the appearance of bright spots of light, known as Baily’s beads. These spots occur when sunlight passes through valleys on the moon just before and after the total eclipse.
Data collected through the app will assist in precisely determining the shape of the sun. This information, in turn, aids in testing theories related to gravity by examining how the sun’s shape influences planetary orbits. By including as many phones as possible, spread across the 2,000-mile-long, 100-mile-wide path of the April 2024 eclipse, we can gather diverse views of the solar shape.
Participation is straightforward; install the app on your phone, position it facing the sun, and initiate the app at least five minutes before totality. The app will handle the rest, and you’ll have the opportunity to keep copies of the pictures as souvenirs.
3. Observe the Impact on Wildlife
Eclipses have a profound effect on wildlife, as scientifically observed since 1932. Volunteers participating in the Eclipse Soundscapes project will build upon earlier studies by collecting sound data within or near the path of totality.
The Eclipse Soundscapes website provides instructions for constructing the necessary equipment. Alternatively, you can apply to receive a pre-assembled kit. Even if you don’t have one of these kits or won’t be near the path of totality, you can still contribute by observing the eclipse’s impact on the environment wherever you are. After uploading your observations to the Eclipse Soundscapes website, volunteers will analyze them alongside other submitted data.
MaryKay Severino, a science education expert, points out that eclipses are multisensory events, with Eclipse Soundscapes focusing on sound, among other sensory observations, to better understand how solar eclipses affect nature.
4. Explore More Citizen Science Opportunities
Various projects involve teams sharing specialized equipment to observe the eclipse. The Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast Initiative will provide cameras and telescope systems, along with training, to 60 teams. These teams will estimate the speed and acceleration of plumes ejected from the solar corona.
Additionally, over 35 teams participating in the Citizen Continental-America Telescope Eclipse project will employ cameras capable of recording the corona with polarized light to study the emergence of the solar wind.
These projects offer limited opportunities for volunteers due to the limited supplies of equipment, so early communication with them is advisable.
Furthermore, some projects involve repurposing equipment intended for different uses. Ham radio enthusiasts can join the HamSCI community to investigate how eclipses alter radio signal propagation through the atmosphere. NASA’s Radio JOVE project provides eclipse-monitoring information for amateur astronomers typically relying on radio telescopes to study celestial bodies.
Astrophysicist Kelly Korreck emphasizes that this is a golden era for citizen scientists to contribute to solar eclipse research. She reminds us that this upcoming event on April 8, 2024, is the last one for two decades that will significantly impact the United States. Don’t miss this once-in-a-generation opportunity to be a part of something truly extraordinary.