On April 8th, NASA TV will live stream North America’s total solar eclipse, showcasing footage of the eclipsed sun and the moon’s shadow from near space. This will be made possible by launching numerous helium weather balloons up to 100,000 feet into the moon’s shadow from across 15 U.S. states in the path of totality. The Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project, funded by NASA, aims to showcase the eclipse through live-streamed 360-degree videos and photos, while also collecting data on Earth’s atmosphere during the event.
The upcoming eclipse will see balloons launched from 34 sites across the U.S., live-streaming the event using Raspberry Pi cameras at an altitude of 80,000 feet in the stratosphere. The original project for the 2017 total solar eclipse saw 55 balloons live-streaming the moon’s shadow, reaching an audience of 600 million on NASA TV. For the April eclipse, the balloons will fly for four to six hours, capturing images and data from different altitudes along the path of totality.
The collaboration between NASA, Montana State University, and 53 teams of over 750 students aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers while also achieving real atmospheric science goals. The opportunity to study two central solar eclipses visible from the U.S. within six months allows for a comparison between different types of eclipses and their effects on the atmosphere. This project also aims to compare and contrast observations from past eclipses and study the differences between them.
On April 7th and 8th, 19 teams will fly balloons every hour 24 hours before the eclipse and 6 hours after, collecting atmospheric data and hunting for gravity waves. These waves move through the atmosphere and are typically generated by mountain ranges and temperature differences. The success of observing these gravity waves during the October eclipse has fueled excitement for the upcoming event. The team will closely monitor weather conditions to ensure safe balloon launches and gather valuable data during the eclipse.
The comparison and contrast of observations from different eclipses will provide valuable insights into the effects of these celestial events on Earth’s atmosphere. The hunt for gravity waves, particularly during the eclipse, offers a unique opportunity to study atmospheric phenomena that have not been observed in the stratosphere before. The project’s success in previous eclipses and the excitement surrounding the upcoming event showcase the potential for groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
As the countdown to the total solar eclipse continues, researchers and viewers eagerly await the live stream footage and data collected from the stratospheric balloons. The complex and innovative project showcases the intersection of technology, science, and education, inspiring students and researchers alike. With clear skies and wide eyes, the team prepares to capture a unique perspective of the eclipse and study its effects on Earth’s atmosphere like never before.
