November 17, 2017, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
November 17, 2017, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Heliophysics Director's Seminar, Hosted by the Solar Physics Laboratory (671)
Scientific eclipse hunting with off-the-shelf equipment
Raphael Attie
On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse crossed the United States coast to coast. I present here an attempt at applying principles of observational solar astronomy to consumer-grade equipment in order to maximize its scientific value. Using my eclipse photos that show different layers of the solar corona up to more than 3 solar radii, I will discuss to what extent one can reveal the subtle structures of the otherwise invisible layers of the solar atmosphere. From the lessons learned during this eclipse I will introduce innovative computational astrophysics methods that I am developing for the community of ground-based solar observers and that can improve the scientific output of future eclipses.
Initial Scientific Results from the 2017 August 21 Total Solar Eclipse Observations
N. Gopalswamy and the GSFC Eclipse Team
We observed the 2017 August 21 total solar eclipse using a polarization camera mounted on an eight-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. The observations were made from Madras, Oregon during 17:19 to 17:21 UT. Total and polarized brightness images were obtained at four wavelengths (385, 398.5, 410, and 423 nm). The polarization camera has a polarization mask attached to the face of a 2048x2048 pixel CCD with a pixel size of 7.4 microns. The resulting images had a size of 975x975 pixels because four neighboring pixels were summed to yield the polarization and total brightness images. The ratio of 410 and 385 nm images is a measure of the coronal temperature, while that at 423 and 398.5 nm images is a measure of the coronal flow speed. The temperature map obtained from the eclipse observations is in qualitative agreement with that obtained from the Solar Dynamics Observatory's Atmospheric Imaging Assembly images at six EUV wavelengths.
NASA Central Oregon Outreach for the Total Solar Eclipse of 2017
Michael S.F. Kirk
The team's education and outreach efforts began in January 2016 and focused on a collaboration with local leaders of Madras and Warm Springs Indian Reservation communities and involved four visits to Madras for planning and execution of our goals. Dr. Kirk and Dr. Pesnell worked closely with the Jefferson County School District to meet with all classrooms in the school district. They also partnered with the Madras Performing Arts Center and The Museum At Warm Springs to reach residents and businesses in the path of totality. Oregon SolarFest provided a fantastic environment to engage with thousands of enthusiastic eclipse tourists and talk about NASA's science mission and eclipse safety.
