Wallops Flight Facility to Launch Rockets to Study Eclipse

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Image (Credit): NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. (Timmons Group)

While Virginia will not be in the direct path of the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse, it will be playing a role related to the eclipse that day.

NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on the Virginia coast will be launch three rockets to study disturbances in the Earth’s ionosphere during the eclipse. The rockets will be launched 45 minutes before, during, and 45 minutes after the peak local eclipse.

These launches are part of NASA’s Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path (APEP) mission. Such launches during an eclipse are not unusual as NASA hopes to learn a few things from this study.

Aroh Barjatya, a professor of engineering physics at Florida’s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus, stated:

Understanding the ionosphere and developing models to help us predict disturbances is crucial to making sure our increasingly communication-dependent world operates smoothly.

Pic of the Week: Preparing for the Total Solar Eclipse

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Credit: New York Department of Economic Development

This week’s image comes from the great state of New York, which is advertising the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse on April 8.

New York is one of the state’s that will experience the eclipse, and the New York Department of Economic Development is not missing the chance to ensure everyone knows this.

A handy map also provides the timing of the eclipse in each city.

Credit: New York Department of Economic Development

The Total Solar Eclipse: Some Reminders

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Image (Credit): A view of the Moon’s shadow on Earth during the solar eclipse on August 11, 1999. The image was captured by Russia’s Mir space station. (Mir 27 Crew)

On April 8, should you be outside staring at the Total Solar Eclipse, you may want to take a few precautions so that you can witness future eclipses as well. In other words, protect your eyes!

NASA has provided a few tips related to photographing the eclipse. Please keep all of this in mind.

For instance, NASA notes:

Looking directly at the Sun is dangerous to your eyes and your camera. To take images when the Sun is partially eclipsed, you’ll need to use a special solar filter to protect your camera, just as you’ll need a pair of solar viewing glasses (also called eclipse glasses) to protect your eyes. However, at totality, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun, make sure to remove the filter so you can see the Sun’s outer atmosphere – the corona.

Let’s have some fun and be safe as well.

Make Your 2024 Solar Eclipse Plans Now

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Image (Credit): A U.S. map showing the path of the Moon’s shadow during the 2023 annular solar eclipse (left side) and 2024 total solar eclipse (right side). (NASA)

If you are planning to get a good seat for the total solar eclipse on April 8, you may want to consult the NASA Solar Eclipses map (shown above) to figure our where you want to be. Hint for 2024 – California is not the place to be.

The 2024 solar eclipse map (shown below) from Scientific American magazine might also be helpful. It clearly highlights the cities that will have the best show.

Image (Credit): Map of the U.S. showing the path of the 2024 total solar eclipse on April 8. (Katie Peek/Scientific America, NASA)

Volunteer to Become a NASA Ambassador

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Credit: NASA

What kind of ambassador, you ask? Well, NASA is looking for what are called “Partner Eclipse Ambassadors.” Volunteers for this position will assist NASA as it prepares communities for the April 2024 solar eclipse.

NASA promises the following to support volunteer ambassadors:

  • A supportive network of enthusiasts who regularly share eclipse support;
  • A partner in your community (each partnership consists of an undergraduate and an eclipse enthusiast);
  • Materials including solar viewing glasses, activities, handouts, and more;
  • Connections to local community centers reaching underserved audiences;
  • Regular social hours and presentations from experts in eclipses and communication; and
  • Opportunities to continue your journey with NASA through collaborations with partners in heliophysics, education, and communication.

You have plenty of time to prepare for this event, so check it out. You can get all of the details at this link.