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Simulating Imaging of Large Scale Radio Arrays on the Lunar Surface
Published on: July 30, 2020
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First Global-Scale Synoptic Imaging of Solar Eclipse Effects in the Thermosphere
Saurav Aryal1, J S Evans2, John Correira2
1Labrotary for Atmospheric and Space Physics University of Colorado Boulder CO USA.
Journal of Geophysical Research. Space Physics
|December 7, 2020
Summary
The Global-scale Observation of Limb and Disk (GOLD) instrument captured a total solar eclipse's impact on Earth's thermosphere. Observations revealed significant brightness reductions and compositional changes, offering new insights into atmospheric responses.
Area of Science:
- Space Physics
- Atmospheric Science
- Geophysics
Background:
- Total solar eclipses cause rapid changes in solar radiation reaching Earth's upper atmosphere.
- The thermosphere's response to such localized and transient events is not fully understood.
- Previous studies often relied on ground-based or limited orbital measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To image the thermospheric effects of the 2 July 2019 total solar eclipse over South America.
- To quantify changes in thermospheric emissions and composition during the eclipse.
- To utilize geostationary satellite data for comprehensive atmospheric response studies.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing NASA's Global-scale Observation of Limb and Disk (GOLD) instrument data.
- Comparing ultraviolet emissions (OI 135.6 nm and N2 LBH bands) during the eclipse with baseline measurements.
- Analyzing the ΣO/N2 column density ratio to infer compositional changes.
Main Results:
- Observed >80% reduction in OI 135.6 nm and N2 LBH emissions around totality.
- Detected an ~80% enhancement in the ΣO/N2 column density ratio within the totality path.
- Recorded a ~7% ΣO/N2 enhancement post-eclipse along the totality path.
Conclusions:
- The 2019 solar eclipse induced significant, measurable changes in thermospheric composition and emissions.
- These findings provide crucial data for validating and improving atmospheric models.
- Synoptic imaging from GOLD offers a powerful new approach to studying dynamic upper atmospheric processes.
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