Unexplainable
The eclipse chasers
Apr 3, 2024
Scientists are chasing eclipses to predict solar storms. The podcast discusses the impact of solar storms on power grids and satellites. It follows Shadia and her team on a 30-year quest to study total solar eclipses and the Sun's corona. The challenges of understanding the corona's extreme temperatures are highlighted. Creative solutions like kite-spectrometer setups are explored to overcome hurdles in eclipse observation.
19:32
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Quick takeaways
- Solar storms can wreak havoc on power grids and satellites, but chasing eclipses can offer insights for better prediction.
- Cloud cover poses a challenge for eclipse observations, leading to innovative solutions like using kites with spectrometers.
Deep dives
The Phenomenon of Solar Eclipses
When a solar eclipse occurs, the moon aligns precisely in front of the sun, creating a unique experience known as totality. During this alignment, the sun's rays are blocked entirely, leading to a momentary darkness even during the day. This event allows for observations of the sun's corona, its outer atmosphere, which is typically not visible due to the sun's brightness. Scientists like Shadia Habal study eclipses to better understand phenomena like solar storms and the corona's extreme heat.
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