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Indian American scientist leads solar eclipse mission
The sounding rockets are scheduled to launch 45 minutes prior to, during, and 45 minutes following the peak local eclipse
NASA and Embry‑Riddle researchers recently posed with three sounding rockets that are part of the APEP (Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path) mission. Lead researcher Dr. Aroh Barjatya is at the top left / NASA/Berit Bland
Aroh Barjatya, professor of Engineering Physics and director of the Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Lab (SAIL) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, is leading a scientific mission coinciding with the total solar eclipse on Apr. 8.
The eclipse will traverse North America, passing over Mexico, the United States from Texas to Maine, and Canada’s Atlantic coast. During the eclipse, the Moon will fully block the Sun, resulting in a temporary darkening of the sky.
As the moon’s shadow races through the atmosphere, “the rapid, highly localized sunset and sunrise create large-scale waves and small-scale perturbations that can interfere with radio communication,” explained Barjaty.
NASA announced the Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path (APEP) mission, led by Barjatya, which will deploy three Black Brant IX sounding rockets from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The mission aims to examine the effects of the Sun’s sudden disappearance on the ionosphere, a region of Earth’s upper atmosphere.
Reflecting on the earlier mission conducted from New Mexico’s White Sands Missile Range during the partial or “annular” solar eclipse of October 14, 2023 , Barjatya said, “We observed a significant decrease in charged particle density as the shadow passed over. Additionally, we detected the onset and progression of disturbances in the second and third rocket."
"By comparing these findings with data collected during the total eclipse, we aim to investigate whether the disturbances originate at the same altitude and if their intensity and extent remain consistent,” Barjatya added.
Barjatya highlighted the conventional use of satellites in studying ionospheric perturbations, noting their capability to provide long-term data.
Barjatya explained that satellites have traditionally been employed for studying ionospheric perturbations, offering extensive datasets over several years. However, he noted a drawback: satellites may not always be positioned appropriately to observe specific events like eclipses.
Satellites usually operate at altitudes exceeding 300 km, which can limit their ability to capture data at lower levels of the ionosphere during events such as eclipses.
Barjatya emphasized the suitability of sounding rockets for conducting focused scientific investigations, particularly at the lower altitudes of the ionosphere.
The sounding rockets are scheduled to launch 45 minutes prior to, during, and 45 minutes following the peak local eclipse on Apr. 8, starting at 2:40 p.m. EDT. Launch times may be adjusted as necessary.
After the total solar eclipse on Apr. 8, 2024, the next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will be on Aug. 23, 2044.
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