Citizen Scientists to Capture Rare Footage of Sun's Corona During 2024 Eclipse

 Eclipse 2024: Citizen scientists will help document footage of sun's corona

Introduction:

The upcoming April 8 solar eclipse is not just a celestial spectacle but a significant scientific endeavor for citizen scientists like Rachael Weir. Weir is part of the Citizen Continental-America Telescope Eclipse project (Citizen CATE), a community science initiative aiming to photograph the sun's corona during totality at 35 sites across the United States. This effort, sponsored by the National Science Foundation and NASA, holds the promise of unveiling new insights into the sun's mysterious outer atmosphere.

Background:

Solar eclipses offer a rare opportunity to study the sun's corona, which is typically obscured by the sun's bright core. However, during a total solar eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun, the corona becomes visible. This phenomenon has long intrigued scientists due to the corona's enigmatic properties, such as its temperature and magnetic fields.

The Story:

Rachael Weir's involvement in Citizen CATE began during her junior year at Indiana University (IU), where she pursued a degree in astronomy and astrophysics. Inspired by a colleague's work on the project, she reached out to join Citizen CATE. Her initiative led to IU being selected as one of only three Midwestern coordinating sites for the project.

Weir, along with her mentors John Carini and Catherine Pilachowski, played a pivotal role in preparing for the eclipse, which involved extensive training and coordination with volunteers nationwide. The project utilizes specialized polarized camera gear to capture uninterrupted footage of the sun's corona during totality.

Aarran Shaw, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Butler University and one of Indiana's state coordinators, emphasized the indispensable contribution of citizen scientists to the project. The distributed network of volunteers allows for a comprehensive observation of the eclipse, providing a unique opportunity to study the sun's corona in detail.

The scientific significance of Citizen CATE lies in its potential to unlock new understandings of solar phenomena, including solar flares, magnetic fields, and solar weather. Moreover, the project may shed light on fundamental questions about the formation of life on other planets by studying the impact of solar activity on planetary environments.

Key Players:

• Rachael Weir: Recent Indiana University alumna and participant in the Citizen CATE project.

• John Carini: IU physics professor and Midwest regional coordinator for Citizen CATE.

• Catherine Pilachowski: IU professor and mentor to Weir.

• Aarran Shaw: Assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Butler University and Indiana state coordinator for Citizen CATE.

• Brian Murphy: Coordinator for Indiana's Citizen CATE sites and collaborator with Shaw at Butler University.

Significance:

Citizen CATE represents a collaborative effort between professional researchers and citizen scientists to advance our understanding of the sun's corona. By harnessing the collective efforts of volunteers across the country, the project aims to produce valuable scientific data that could inform future studies of solar phenomena and their effects on Earth and other celestial bodies.

Reactions:

Initial reactions to the Citizen CATE project have been positive, with volunteers expressing enthusiasm for their involvement in scientific research and education. The selection of high schools as observation sites has been particularly praised for its potential to engage young students in STEM fields.

Looking Ahead:

As the April 8 solar eclipse approaches, anticipation builds among participants of Citizen CATE. Following the event, the analysis of captured footage and data will commence, offering researchers and citizen scientists alike the opportunity to delve into the mysteries of the sun's corona and its implications for our understanding of the universe.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this summary is based on the original news article titled "Eclipse 2024: Citizen scientists will help document footage of sun's corona." While efforts have been made to accurately represent the content of the article, this summary may not capture all nuances and details. Readers are encouraged to refer to the original article for a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The original news article can be accessed [Here]