Greetings, space enthusiasts! On April 8, 2024, during the next total solar eclipse, NASA is encouraging the public to take part in a special citizen science initiative. You may play a key role in ground-breaking research on our nearest star by providing data via a free smartphone app.
Scientists have a unique opportunity to examine the Sun’s corona, which is often veiled, during this total eclipse, in which the Moon totally obscures the Sun’s face. When the Sun’s blinding light is present, the tremendous heat of the corona makes it impossible to examine with ground-based telescopes. On the other hand, during a total eclipse, the corona shines brightly, briefly disclosing its mysteries.
Citizen scientists can help with this. Downloading NASA’s “SunSketcher” app ahead of time will turn your smartphone into an invaluable research tool. By following the directions on SunSketcher, you can securely take pictures of the eclipsed Sun. These photos, taken by witnesses all along the path of totality, will provide a wealth of information for scientists.
According to NASA solar scientist Dr. Anthony Grant, “the Sun is not quite a perfect sphere.” “Uncovering the true form of our Sun would test theories of gravity and provide new insights into its enigmatic innards. However, up until now, it has proven difficult to precisely measure the shape of this massive nearly-round object.”
SunSketcher makes use of crowdsourcing. The key is that each person observes the Sun at a slightly different time and from a slightly different perspective, according to Dr. Alistair Emslie, another researcher involved in the experiment. “We need lots of volunteers because that way we build up a much bigger set of data than any one observer could possibly make on their own.”
Researchers can get a more comprehensive image of the Sun’s corona by merging data from thousands of citizen scientists. The precise shape of the Sun will be measured using this data, an accomplishment that has been challenging to achieve with conventional techniques. Improved knowledge of the Sun’s form may lead to improvements in solar activity research, which could have implications for Earth’s climate and technology.
In addition to helping further scientific understanding, SunSketcher offers a singular opportunity to see a celestial phenomenon. For a brief while, the day will be completely eclipsed, bringing a sight of the Sun’s corona—often described as a pearly white halo with wispy streamers.
It is important to keep in mind, though, that staring directly at the Sun—even during an eclipse—can result in irreversible eye damage. By instructing users on how to take pictures of the eclipse indirectly using the app, SunSketcher guarantees safe observation.
On April 8, there will be a total eclipse that passes through portions of Mexico, the United States, and Canada. If you are fortunate enough to be in the path of totality, you should think about becoming involved in this fascinating citizen science initiative. be SunSketcher beforehand, read through the instructions, and be ready to see a breathtaking celestial event while helping us learn more about our nearest star.
This initiative is only one illustration of how NASA is utilizing citizen science. Researchers may acquire enormous volumes of data by including the public, which would be impossible to do with just traditional approaches. What more could you want? All you need is a smartphone and an appreciation for amazement if you’ve ever wanted to be a part of a space mission!
