Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Chasing the shadow of the total solar eclipse

Featuring Amir Caspi

Presented By KUNC

Door time: 7:00

Show time: 7:30

 

Total solar eclipses are one of the most spectacular astronomical phenomena observable with the naked eye. They also provide a rare opportunity for scientists to study the Sunโ€™s million-degree atmosphere — the solar corona — in ways and detail that are not possible at any other time. We ran two innovative experiments during the most recent U.S. total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024: flying telescopes in NASAโ€™s WB-57 high-altitude jets at 50,000 feet, and dozens of ground-based telescopes operated by teams of amateur community participants all along the eclipse path. In this presentation, weโ€™ll describe the surprising science of the Sun and solar corona, its influence on us here on Earth, and the wonder of experiencing a total solar eclipse. Weโ€™ll describe our two groundbreaking experiments and present their first results, including never-before-seen images of the solar corona in midwave infrared light and in polarized visible light.

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