The total solar eclipse on April 8 offers a rare opportunity for scientific exploration, as researchers embark on three NASA-funded projects to observe and analyze the effects of the celestial event. Among these initiatives is the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN), a global network of radars that bounce radio waves off the ionosphere. Led by Professor Bharat Kunduri of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
The SuperDARN team is gearing up to study the ionosphere’s response to the eclipse. With the eclipse passing over three SuperDARN radars in the United States, the team aims to monitor changes in density, temperature, and movement with heightened precision.
Special modes of operation will be employed during the eclipse to capture these fluctuations at finer spatiotemporal scales, providing valuable insights into the ionosphere’s behavior during such events.
In parallel, amateur radio enthusiasts across the country will participate in the HamSCI project led by Professor Nathaniel Frissell of the University of Scranton. Using radio signals, these operators will document how the sudden loss of sunlight during totality impacts their communications.
Building on previous efforts during the 2017 total solar eclipse and the 2023 annular eclipse, this project aims to catalogue and analyze the effects of the eclipse on radio propagation. By sharing their data, participants will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of how ionospheric conditions evolve during eclipses, offering valuable insights for future research.
Both the SuperDARN and HamSCI projects exemplify the collaborative nature of scientific inquiry, bringing together researchers and enthusiasts alike to study natural phenomena. Through meticulous observation and data collection, these projects aim to unravel the mysteries of the ionosphere’s response to solar eclipses, advancing our understanding of Earth’s atmosphere and its interactions with the cosmos.