Skip to main content
solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse is a great opportunity to learn more about the sun

ESA/Royal Observatory of Belgium

A total solar eclipse occurs somewhere on Earth about every 18 months, and that has been the case for all of human history. Naturally, people have been studying these dramatic events for just as long, with the first known written record of an eclipse dating back more than 3000 years. In all that time, we have learned an astonishing amount from total eclipses about the sun, Earth and even the fundamental laws of physics.

For much of history, totality – the period of time in which the moon covers the entire disc of the sun – has been the only time that humans could see the sun’s faint outermost layer. This wispy shroud of plasma, called the corona, has been central to many of the scientific advances that have come from the study of eclipses.

ER8EXD Solar Eclipse. The moon moving in front of the sun. Illustration

Solar Eclipse 2024

On 8 April a total solar eclipse will pass over Mexico, the US and Canada. Our special series is covering everything you need to know, from how and when to see it to some of the weirdest eclipse experiences in history.

The corona is home to many of the sun’s most fascinating phenomena, including coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which occur when the sun’s churning magnetic field blasts strands and blobs of material out into space. CMEs that hit Earth can damage satellites and the electrical grid, and they can be extraordinarily dangerous to astronauts out in space, beyond the protection of Earth’s atmosphere.

See also  Early galaxy seen by JWST contains giant young stars and supernovae

“The magnetic activity of the sun changes over time and changes across the surface of the star,” says Meredith MacGregor at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. So far, we don’t have a good way to predict this activity. But we might be able to begin doing so by studying the corona.

A total solar eclipse isn’t the only way to look at the sun’s outermost layers – there is also an instrument called a coronagraph, which uses a shade to block out the disc of the sun in a sort of artificial eclipse. These instruments are important not only for studying our own star, but also for studying other, more distant stars and searching for any planets orbiting them that would otherwise be hidden in the glare of starlight. “The inspiration to use coronagraphs to block out the light of other stars so we can look for their exoplanets comes from natural eclipses,” says MacGregor.

The same dimness that makes the corona difficult to observe outside of totality also makes it an excellent target for spectroscopy. Spectroscopy works by breaking down light into its constituent wavelengths. This allows researchers to determine what elements are present in a material by the unique pattern of wavelengths each element emits or absorbs. Helium was discovered using spectroscopy during an eclipse in 1868, which was the first time any element was discovered by studying the skies.

Soon afterwards, astronomers found what appeared to be another new element in the corona, which they termed coronium, but it turned out to simply be iron heated up to extraordinary temperatures of millions of degrees. Even though it wasn’t a new element, this was a baffling find – the surface of the sun is only about 5600°C, so how could the outermost layer be so sweltering?

See also  Lyrid meteor shower 2024: How to see the Lyrids this April and when do they peak?

“Imagine you’re at a campfire, and you start walking away from the campfire. And it should be getting colder, but it gets far hotter,” says Frederic Bertley at the Center of Science and Industry in Ohio. “That’s what’s going on in the corona, and nobody knows why that is.”

Solar eclipses even provided some of the first proof of Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which governs how gravity behaves on large scales. One of the major predictions of general relativity is that massive objects should bend the trajectory of light as it passes by them. Einstein first presented his theory in 1915, and evidence for its veracity came in 1919, when astronomer Arthur Eddington observed starlight bending around the sun during a solar eclipse.

When a total solar eclipse passes over Central and North America this month, astronomers will continue their long tradition of taking advantage of totality to make precise observations of the sun and how it affects the space around it. The sun still has many secrets to unravel, and an eclipse is one of the best times to study them.

Topics:

Source link

Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor's Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.

26 Comments

  • Esta Okuneva says:

    Simply desire to say your article is as surprising The clearness in your post is simply excellent and i could assume you are an expert on this subject Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work

  • Kaden Mante says:

    I loved as much as youll receive carried out right here The sketch is attractive your authored material stylish nonetheless you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike

  • Thank you for the auspicious writeup It in fact was a amusement account it Look advanced to more added agreeable from you By the way how could we communicate

  • Thank you for the good writeup It in fact was a amusement account it Look advanced to far added agreeable from you However how could we communicate

  • Attractive section of content I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast

  • I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here The sketch is tasteful your authored subject matter stylish nonetheless you command get got an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike

  • Louisa Jones says:

    Wow wonderful blog layout How long have you been blogging for you make blogging look easy The overall look of your site is great as well as the content

  • I genuinely relished what you’ve produced here. The outline is elegant, your written content trendy, yet you appear to have obtained some anxiety regarding what you wish to deliver thereafter. Assuredly, I will return more frequently, akin to I have almost constantly, provided you maintain this incline.

  • Somebody essentially lend a hand to make significantly articles Id state That is the very first time I frequented your website page and up to now I surprised with the research you made to make this actual submit amazing Wonderful task

  • Thank you for the auspicious writeup It in fact was a amusement account it Look advanced to more added agreeable from you By the way how could we communicate

  • Hi my loved one I wish to say that this post is amazing nice written and include approximately all vital infos Id like to peer more posts like this

  • I just could not leave your web site before suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard information a person supply to your visitors Is gonna be again steadily in order to check up on new posts

  • Excellent blog here Also your website loads up very fast What web host are you using Can I get your affiliate link to your host I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  • Owen Huels says:

    Hi my family member I want to say that this post is awesome nice written and come with approximately all significant infos I would like to peer extra posts like this

  • Hi my family member I want to say that this post is awesome nice written and come with approximately all significant infos I would like to peer extra posts like this

  • you are in reality a just right webmaster The site loading velocity is incredible It seems that you are doing any unique trick In addition The contents are masterwork you have performed a wonderful task on this topic

  • Fantastic site Lots of helpful information here I am sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious And of course thanks for your effort

  • Hello i think that i saw you visited my weblog so i came to Return the favore Im trying to find things to improve my web siteI suppose its ok to use some of your ideas

  • Just wish to say your article is as surprising The clearness in your post is just cool and i could assume youre an expert on this subject Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work

  • Madge Orn says:

    My brother suggested I might like this blog He was totally right This post actually made my day You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info Thanks

  • Just wish to say your article is as surprising The clearness in your post is just cool and i could assume youre an expert on this subject Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work

  • Thank you for the auspicious writeup It in fact was a amusement account it Look advanced to more added agreeable from you By the way how could we communicate

  • Shanna Doyle says:

    I do not even know how I ended up here but I thought this post was great I do not know who you are but certainly youre going to a famous blogger if you are not already Cheers

  • Just wish to say your article is as surprising The clearness in your post is just cool and i could assume youre an expert on this subject Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work

  • Its like you read my mind You appear to know a lot about this like you wrote the book in it or something I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit but instead of that this is fantastic blog An excellent read I will certainly be back

  • Nice blog here Also your site loads up fast What host are you using Can I get your affiliate link to your host I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

Leave a Reply

https://coburnforsenate.com/
https://mts-mqtebuireng.sch.id/
https://hotelarjuna.com/
http://espanahijos.com/
https://kimkartoharjo.madiunkota.go.id/
https://sites.google.com/view/oceania-harvard-sig/about
https://sites.google.com/view/enigmaths/home
https://sites.google.com/view/microdosingpsychedelics/home
https://sites.google.com/view/braddockgrease/home
https://sites.google.com/view/donaldgrasse/home
https://sites.google.com/view/cleanwharfeilkley/home
https://sites.google.com/view/uptownchristmastrees/
https://sites.google.com/view/schev-tempsite/home
https://lewesbonfire2018.blogspot.com/
https://moviemunn.blogspot.com/
https://runopolis.blogspot.com/
https://bestonlinedrugstore.blogspot.com/
https://hambos2novel.blogspot.com/
https://federasty.blogspot.com/
https://business-writer.blogspot.com/
https://changetheagenda.blogspot.com/
https://mschangart.weebly.com/
https://igleceldom.weebly.com/
https://tylercoverdale.weebly.com/
https://compassionatestanford.weebly.com/
https://laurelryohe.weebly.com/
https://uwmicrophiles.weebly.com/
https://roll4rock.weebly.com/
https://travellerchris.weebly.com/
https://gwynllyw.weebly.com/
https://billsantiago.weebly.com/
https://latinocaucus.weebly.com/
https://communitiesconnectingforchildren.weebly.com/
https://redmoonpathways.weebly.com/
https://urangcianjur.weebly.com/
https://vtsbl.weebly.com/
https://rickmountshootingschool.weebly.com/
https://forthamiltoncommunityclub.weebly.com/
https://edsupportgroup.weebly.com/
https://susans-words2.weebly.com/
https://kadiehenderson.weebly.com/
https://parmatours.weebly.com/
https://tractgames.weebly.com/
https://hazratkhateeb-e-azam.weebly.com/
https://financialsupport.weebly.com/
https://debraperrone.weebly.com/
https://barcelonaplanetfilmfestival.weebly.com/
https://aplusc.weebly.com/
mikatoto
SENGTOTO
SENGTOTO
SITUS EVOSTOTO
LOGIN EVOSTOSO