Radio Observation During Total Eclipse
Session Number
Project ID: ERSP 02
Advisor(s)
Dr. Eric Hawker, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Discipline
Earth and Space Sciences
Start Date
17-4-2024 8:15 AM
End Date
17-4-2024 8:30 AM
Abstract
During the total solar eclipse crossing North America on April 8, 2024, the moon will completely cover the sun's bright photosphere, allowing for unique observations of the faint outer atmosphere of the sun called the corona. While eclipses have traditionally been studied at optical wavelengths, observing at radio wavelengths can provide insights into the sun's magnetic fields and energetic particle flows.
Under the supervision of Dr. Hawker, a radio telescope was designed and constructed to measure the sun’s radio waves during the upcoming total eclipse. A dish will be used to reflect the analog waves coming off of the Sun to an LNBF, converting them to a digital signal that will then be collected.
Radio waves from the sun before, during, and after the eclipse will be observed, and the amount of radio power coming in using a signal meter at any given time will be collected as data. This has been done beforehand, successfully collecting radio power. By observing the sun’s radio waves during the total eclipse, valuable information pertaining to electromagnetic radiation and heliophysics could be gained.
Radio Observation During Total Eclipse
During the total solar eclipse crossing North America on April 8, 2024, the moon will completely cover the sun's bright photosphere, allowing for unique observations of the faint outer atmosphere of the sun called the corona. While eclipses have traditionally been studied at optical wavelengths, observing at radio wavelengths can provide insights into the sun's magnetic fields and energetic particle flows.
Under the supervision of Dr. Hawker, a radio telescope was designed and constructed to measure the sun’s radio waves during the upcoming total eclipse. A dish will be used to reflect the analog waves coming off of the Sun to an LNBF, converting them to a digital signal that will then be collected.
Radio waves from the sun before, during, and after the eclipse will be observed, and the amount of radio power coming in using a signal meter at any given time will be collected as data. This has been done beforehand, successfully collecting radio power. By observing the sun’s radio waves during the total eclipse, valuable information pertaining to electromagnetic radiation and heliophysics could be gained.