The sun plays a crucial role in shaping space weather through charged particles known as plasma that interact with Earth's ionosphere. This interaction affects various technologies such as GPS and long-distance radio communications that rely on the ionosphere for operation.
To study the impact of sudden changes in sunlight on Earth's upper atmosphere, NASA will launch three sounding rockets from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. These rockets will carry scientific instruments to measure temperature, particle density, and electric and magnetic fields in the ionosphere.
Each rocket will release four small instruments along the path of totality during the eclipse, reaching a maximum altitude of 260 miles (420 kilometers) to gather data on atmospheric changes. The goal is to enhance our understanding of the ionosphere and improve predictive models for space weather disturbances.
Aroh Barjatya, a professor of engineering physics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, emphasized the importance of studying the ionosphere for ensuring the smooth operation of communication systems in our technology-dependent world.
For those interested in witnessing the rocket launches, the events will be livestreamed, and visitors can watch in person at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center in Virginia between 1 to 4 p.m. ET on Monday.
