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Eclipses Unveil Atmospheric Waves: A Student-Led Scientific Breakthrough
In a groundbreaking achievement, student teams from three U.S. universities have become the first to directly measure the atmospheric gravity waves that scientists have long theorized are produced during eclipses. This significant discovery was made during the North American annular solar eclipse on October 14, 2023, as part of the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project (NEBP), which is supported by NASA.
The NEBP involved high school and university students positioned along the eclipse’s path across several states. These student teams launched weather balloons equipped with scientific instruments to gather atmospheric data. A specific group from New Mexico was pivotal in collecting data that definitively linked the eclipse event to the formation of these gravity waves, a finding that could enhance the precision of weather forecasts in the future.
Insights from the Director
Angela Des Jardins
Director of the Montana Space Grant Consortium, which led NEBP.
“Understanding the atmosphere’s response during eclipses enables us to gain deeper insights into atmospheric dynamics, which can lead to enhanced weather forecasting capabilities and a better understanding of climate change,” she stated.
Prior efforts to study atmospheric gravity waves during eclipses were made in previous years with support from NASA and the National Science Foundation. In 2019, a team in Chile gathered encouraging data, but their hourly balloon launches did not yield sufficient detail. Moreover, attempts to replicate the study in 2020 were hampered by travel restrictions due to COVID-19 and poor weather conditions in Chile.
Building on these past experiences, the project in 2023 included more frequent balloon releases scheduled every 15 minutes and targeted locations that promised the highest chances of success.
Strategic Planning and Execution
“New Mexico presented an ideal location for our study,” explained Jie Gong, a researcher at NASA’s Climate and Radiation Lab. “We aimed to minimize interference from usual atmospheric gravity wave sources such as convection, weather fronts, and mountainous terrains.”
The initiative established a central hub in Moriarty, New Mexico, where four research teams collaborated: two from Plymouth State University and one each from the State University of New York at Albany and SUNY Oswego. Students commenced their balloon launches a day prior to the eclipse, working in shifts to ensure comprehensive data collection during the celestial event.
Eric Kelsey
Research Associate Professor at Plymouth State and the NEBP Northeast Regional Lead.
“The students were incredibly dedicated, maintaining their work around the clock leading up to the eclipse,” Kelsey noted.
Each weather balloon deployed by the teams carried a radiosonde, a device that records various atmospheric parameters such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed. This continuous stream of information was transmitted back to the ground, allowing for real-time data collection and subsequent analysis.
As data processing continued, researchers confirmed in spring 2024 that the eclipse had indeed produced atmospheric gravity waves above New Mexico. “When we compiled the data chronologically, it was exhilarating to observe the patterns emerging in the results,” Gong recounted. “The team was thrilled with the findings.”
A Learning Experience Beyond Science
The NEBP project provided students not only with technical capabilities but also with invaluable lessons in teamwork and collaboration. “It was a steep learning curve for the students as they coordinated their balloon launches and managed logistics,” Kelsey commented. “This project emphasized the importance of teamwork in scientific endeavors.”
“While our focus is currently on the scientific results, it’s crucial to recognize that these accomplishments were made possible by the students’ efforts,” Des Jardins added.
The NEBP is financially supported by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate through its Science Activation program, in addition to contributions from the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Project, and collaborations with NASA’s Balloon Program Office.
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Source
www.nasa.gov