NASA Unveils Revolutionary Tests to Study Solar Corona During Total Solar Eclipse in 2024
The widely anticipated total solar eclipse of 2024 will include five ground-breaking experiments, according to a new NASA announcement. These cutting-edge investigations use a variety of cutting-edge tools to examine the structure, dynamics, and composition of the Sun’s corona in an effort to solve its riddles.
CORTES (Coronal Observing System for the Total Eclipse), one of the chosen projects, will use a ground-based telescope to take in-depth pictures of the corona in very ultraviolet light. This kind of observation will provide hitherto unattainable insights into the intricate workings of the Sun’s outer atmosphere.
ECLIPS (Exoplanet Coronal Imaging Spectrograph) will also use a telescope mounted on a balloon to scan the corona in addition to looking for exoplanets. This two-fold experiment has the potential to deepen our knowledge of the Sun and the larger exoplanet system.
In order to make a contribution, the Global Eclipsing MOONS Experiment (GEMS) will use a network of small telescopes that are placed in various parts of the United States. These telescopes will gather data on the corona from various points along the path of totality, enabling a thorough examination of the behaviour of the corona.
The Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) will launch a space-based telescope above Earth’s atmosphere to improve the observations even further. With continuous photography of the corona from this vantage point, its features and properties may be seen more clearly.
Last but not least, to take pictures of the corona, the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) will use two space-based telescopes, each positioned at a different angle. This multi-perspective method will provide researchers an unheard-of stereo vision, improving their capacity to research the three-dimensional structure of the corona.
Since it will be the first total solar eclipse to cross the continental United States since 1979, the eclipse in 2024 will be highly noteworthy. It offers an exceptional chance for scientific research with a complete route that spans 14 states and runs from Mexico to Canada.
Our knowledge of the Sun’s corona will advance thanks to the data acquired from these investigations. Understanding the Sun’s magnetic field and its impact on space weather will help us better comprehend the Earth’s environment and technological systems, thus scientists are examining its structure, dynamics, and composition.
Unquestionably, the complete solar eclipse of 2024 is expected to be a historic occasion that will provide scientists a once-in-a-lifetime chance to examine the Sun’s corona in unparalleled detail. The studies chosen by NASA will definitely add to a body of research that will transform our understanding of the Sun and its effects on Earth and other planets.
