For years, scientists have been preparing for the Great American Eclipse. Here’s what they’ll be observing.
While many of us have been learning about the Great American Eclipse over the past few months, others have been preparing for this spectacular phenomenon for years. Scientists focusing on all kinds of disciplines, from solar science to animal behavior, have been planning experiments that will be conducted in the brief minutes of totality.
“For the scientist getting ready to capture these short moments, it can be very hectic and stressful,” says Shadia Habbal, an astronomer at the University of Hawaii who has seen over 10 eclipses and been preparing for the 2017 eclipse for three years. “The event cannot wait for you to be ready.”
A lot is riding on just a few minutes of darkness. Some projects involve hundreds of team members, networks of institutions, complicated technology setups and feats, and dozens of site locations along the path of totality.
“This is just an amazing opportunity for all of us to be scientists in a way, to be curious about this crazy natural phenomenon that’s happening,” says Angela Des Jardins, a physics professor at Montana State University.
From chasing the eclipse with refitted bomber planes to carefully watching zoo animals’ reactions, read about the experiments things scientists are hoping to do under the shade of the eclipse.
Illustrations by Jay Rasgorshek
andulkaphoto
annaxmalina
stormborns
discoholicmusic
tangentwithtanner
germansingergirl
titsay
romaincrisis
