Citizen Science Wants Your Eclipse Images

The August 21 total eclipse spanning the continental United States is just 25 weeks away. A first-of-its-kind citizens science project kicks off this week which will gather valuable scientific data during the eclipse.

The Eclipse Megamovie Project will gather images and video from over 1000 volunteer photographers and amateur astronomers. Stitching these together will provide unparalleled detail of how the corona changes over time. These visible light observations will extend existing research in these rapid fluctuations in the radio spectrum.

There will be two points in time during the eclipse that are particular interest to researchers, “the diamond ring effect”. Just before the sun is totally eclipsed and just after, the last bit of direct sunlight streaming through a single valley on the Moon’s edge creates a flash of light for a moment. That flash along with the glow of the Sun’s corona around the remainder of the Moon’s diameter is reminiscent of a brilliant diamond ring.

Researchers plan to use data from this period to measure the size of the Sun more precisely.

Eclipse fans are encouraged to participate along with over 1000 experienced photographers in capturing and sharing images of the eclipse. A smartphone app is in development to make it easy.

The project is the brainchild of Dr. Hugh Hudson of the University of California, Berkley who, along with a group of other heliophysicists and educators.

Elsewhere in the sky…

Tuesday, Feb 28 after sunset. (not to scale)

Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 28, the 2-day old sliver of a crescent moon will form a nearly right triangle with Mars and Venus. Each will be separated by 10-15 degrees. Look to the western sky after sunset. The trio will be visible until they begin to set around 8 p.m. local time.

The following morning, March 1, central Alabama risers will be treated to a pass of the International Space Station. Look to the south-southwest at 5:02 a.m., the station will cross your sky setting 6 minutes later.

Category: Spacey Stuff