Dana Lacatus

Chasing the IR Corona through Solar Eclipse Experiments

whawkins — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 19:21:26 +0000

Chasing the IR Corona through Solar Eclipse Experiments whawkins Tue, 04/16/2024 - 13:21

Author:

whawkins

Apr 16, 2024

Composite image of the eclipse as seen from Dardanelle, AR. A narrow H-alpha filter was used to capture the emission of the solar disk during the partial phases of the eclipse, while the totality phase was captured in white light emission.

The total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, was a great opportunity for the team of HAO, NSO, and NOAA scientists and collaborators to travel to a location on the totality path with the goal of running unique science experiments. Using additional telescopes, binoculars, and outreach materials, we were able to capture the eclipse throughout its phases and share our passion with a very excited local crowd.

Two eclipse science experimental setups were designed and built by our team at the HAO facility and tuned to observe the infrared solar corona during the totality phase of the eclipse: the Coronal HElium Emission Spectrograph Experiment (CHEESE) led by HAO’s Momchil Molnar and FeSun (read Iron Sun) led by NSO's Alin Paraschiv. CHEESE is a high-resolution spectrograph and FeSun is a coronagraphic filter imager designed to build a mosaic of the corona. We hope to reveal new and exciting science using emission lines of Iron and Helium that form in the infrared range of the light spectrum.

The two eclipse experiments are assembled and waiting for final adjustments.

The eclipse team consisted of Momchil Molnar, Alin Paraschiv (NSO), Maurice Wilson, David Afonso Delgado, Gabriel Dima (NOAA), Daniela Lacatus, Paul Bryans, and Kalista Tyson (student). The whole expedition was a huge adventure for our team, and after some rollercoaster moments, we successfully achieved perfect weather conditions through the entire eclipse; considering what we went through, this was no small feat! (Now that the expedition is over we begin the long task of analyzing and interpreting our infrared science data to uncover new coronal insights.)

Fredericksburg, TX, was our initial and carefully chosen location. Unfortunately, after a 10-hour drive there, we understood our eclipse viewing chances were extremely slim due to overcast skies. Suddenly we were scrambling to find a better location; we decided to drive northeast another 10 hours to Dardanelle, AR. The extra day of driving was a hardship and we missed a night of testing. Sadly, we left Paul behind because he was meeting his family in Texas. Happily, our change of location to Arkansas was a great success as the weather was lovely, with clear skies throughout the eclipse!

On Sunday morning, before the Monday eclipse, Alin and Momo (experiment leads) finally started assembling the experiments. In utter horror they realized that we were missing one of four boxes containing the crucial mount heads for both experiments. This became a joke of how many PhDs does it take to account for four boxes and load those boxes into cars.

Luckily, Kalista Tyson (former REU student and HAO visitor), came to our rescue with a special delivery, arriving at our location in Arkansas on Monday at 4am, with the "invisible at departure box." With sleep deprived eyes, we rushed to assemble the experiments and do as much of the alignment and testing in a few hours, instead of the planned preparation time of two days and two nights. In addition, we had to address some issues that were not completely ironed out, especially given the change in location. Despite it all, the experiments executed their observation sequences, and data was acquired.

The experiments PIs doing final adjustments to the instruments as the eclipse approaches the totality phase. (P.S. ‘Bene Gesserit’ infiltrators were on site if you look carefully!)

We also had a telescope dedicated to capturing the solar disk in H-alpha emission throughout the eclipse phases. The composite image above illustrates the capture results beautifully. An additional telescope plus two pairs of binoculars were available to provide the public with a closer view of the eclipse progression and enabled them to photograph the solar disk being gradually obscured.

In addition to the science experiments, we also had a telescope and binoculars available for the public, as well as a booth where we shared cool science tidbits and answered questions.

At the outreach booth we provided materials on eclipses, the sun, its structure and phenomena, plus its influence on the solar system. We also introduced the pinhole concept for safe eclipse viewing. The public was excited to have “real scientists doing science” in a backyard, small-town setting where they were comfortable interacting and asking questions. We were energized by their science queries and curiosities about the broader impact of our work and science in general.

Moments before totality, everyone was getting ready to enjoy the astronomical show and/or watch the excitable scientists acquire their data.

Once the eclipse ended, we rushed to pack up everything because a storm front was arriving with intense rain and winds. While some of us began driving back that evening, other team members stayed another night. Due to heavy rains, they became stuck in the mud and had to be pulled out by a tractor the following morning. The first group arrived back to Boulder on Tuesday near midnight, while the campervan group arrived after 4am on Wednesday morning.

The enormous effort that went into preparing the experiments and the actual expedition was definitely worth it. We learned a lot by building and deploying the experiments in the eclipse path, and in spite of some setbacks, both experiments ran successfully and data was acquired! In addition, we got to experience a unique astronomical event, share our passion for science and solar physics in particular, and hopefully make a lasting impression on our public audience.

We want to emphasize once again our immense gratitude to Kalista for dropping everything without a second thought and driving to our rescue! Without her swift intervention, all the effort invested in preparing the experiments would have been futile!

Furthermore, we are grateful to Skylar Shaver and the Ring family for graciously hosting us on their property in Dardanelle, Arkansas, on very short notice. Because of their generosity and in spite of the impromptu change in location, we were able to set up our experiments and our outreach booth. Best of all, we ended the day sharing the total eclipse experience with ~80 people and 8 dogs.

We want to thank everyone who made this expedition possible: members, mentors, institutions, friends and family! We are grateful to Paul Bryans and Sheryl Shapiro for their work on coordinating the logistics and making sure this adventure could happen (plus Paul’s sacrifice during the trip). We are also grateful to Roberto Casini, Matthias Rempel, Ben Berkey, Alfred de Wijn, Phil Judge, Kevin Reardon (NSO), and Tom Schad (NSO) for their guidance, support and insights on how to run eclipse experiments, things to consider, and for giving us a hand when we inadvertently got stuck. And last but not least, we want to thank Holly Gilbert for ensuring this effort had adequate resources, without which nothing would have been possible.

Story by Daniela Lacatus, edited by Wendy Hawkins

WHPI repository of 2024 Total Solar Eclipse activities

whawkins — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:14:43 +0000

WHPI repository of 2024 Total Solar Eclipse activities whawkins Tue, 03/19/2024 - 10:14

Author:

whawkins

Mar 19, 2024

HAO is leading the effort through the Whole Heliosphere and Planetary Interactions (WHPI) initiative to support the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse by providing a platform for gathering information on ongoing eclipse activities. The WHPI Eclipse Campaign website aims to be a one-stop repository for existing or ongoing eclipse efforts.

The Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024 offers ideal conditions for eclipse science, unique opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaborations, and an excellent occasion for public engagement. HAO is leading the effort through the Whole Heliosphere and Planetary Interactions (WHPI) initiative to support the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse by providing a platform for gathering information on ongoing eclipse activities. The WHPI Eclipse Campaign website aims to be a one-stop repository for existing or ongoing eclipse efforts. We welcome any and all contributions, no effort is too small! Please contact us at whpi_help@hao.ucar.edu if you have any questions or would like to be included.

The repository is currently:

Linking to model prediction outputs of what to expect on the eclipse day;
Providing information on planned dedicated observations by ground and space-based assets that will pursue and support eclipse science;
Compiling a list of eclipse science experiments that will be deployed on or flown into the eclipse path;
Providing information on Citizen Science projects those interested can join in;
Listing planned outreach and public engagement efforts.

We hope our repository will promote interactions between the different efforts and foster collaboration across disciplines. We wish everyone a clear sky and happy observing of the eclipse!

Annular Eclipse Expedition at Hovenweep

whawkins — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 21:53:04 +0000

Annular Eclipse Expedition at Hovenweep whawkins Fri, 11/03/2023 - 15:53

Author:

whawkins

Nov 3, 2023

The logo that represents all the institutions that made the annular eclipse expedition possible superimposed over the eclipse maxima image.

On 14 October 2023, a captivating annular eclipse graced the skies from Oregon to Texas in the U.S. It was a privilege to not only witness this celestial spectacle but also engage with a curious audience that included a team of solar physicists from both the High Altitude Observatory at NCAR and the National Solar Observatory. Visiting students and/or voluntary collaborators were also among the spectators.

Sunrise and over-imposed eclipse evolution at Hovenweep National Monument in Utah.

Han Uitenbroek

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, but the Moon is too far from Earth to block out the Sun entirely. Instead of a total eclipse, a ring of sunlight is illuminated around the Moon, creating the infamous "Ring of Fire".

Our expedition led us to the historic Hovenweep National Monument in Utah, where, around well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan ruins, we had the opportunity of sharing insights about the Sun! The NPS estimated that over 600 visitors were on site. Favorable weather allowed attendees to experience this remarkable event through an array of telescopes, binoculars, and eclipse glasses.

Photo of the annular eclipse maxima from the eclipse expedition, Hovenweep National Monument.

Han Uitenbroek

Using a colander to create pinhole projections onto paper.

With materials provided by the NASA PUNCH outreach team for the Small Explorer mission, we engaged the public with various activities touching not only on the eclipse science, but also on relevant cultural and historical aspects related to how humans have perceived solar eclipses and other Solar phenomena throughout the centuries, as depicted in paintings, drawings, and petroglyphs.

Some of the images below offer a glimpse into the fascinating natural optical phenomenon of pinhole projection. They illustrate how differently-shaped holes on objects produce shadows that mirror the contour of the light source. This effect becomes especially apparent during an eclipse, resulting in crescents or rings forming within the shadowed area.

Photo collage of observation deck visitors at the annular eclipse expedition, Hovenweep National Monument, UT.

Additionally, our team offered evening astronomy sessions that allowed attendees to explore the beautiful dark skies of Hovenweep. They had the chance to marvel at Saturn's rings, observe the distinctive cloud patterns and moons of Jupiter, witness the splendour of the Andromeda Galaxy, and an array of distant globular clusters and nebulae, providing a rich experience of the wonders above.

Photo collage of outreach table activities at the annular eclipse expedition, Hovenweep National Monument, Utah.

This annular solar eclipse was truly a sight to see, and yet 2024 will provide an even more rare opportunity of a total solar eclipse over the U.S./Canada on April 8th.

We express our gratitude to all attendees for their active participation, to the dedicated team for their unwavering commitment, to the National Parks Service team and to the supporting institutions.

An abundance of stars at Hovenweep National Monument taken during the annular eclipse expedition.

Teams included:

NSO: Alin Paraschiv, Han Uitenbroek
NCAR HAO: Matthias Rempel, Daniela Lacatus, Maurice Wilson, Benoit Tremblay
Students and/or collaborators: Aatiya Ali, Kalista Tyson, Vanessa Mercea, Aidan Halpin

A Machine Learning Enhanced Approach for Automated Sunquake Detection in Acoustic Emission Maps

whawkins — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 19:58:01 +0000

A Machine Learning Enhanced Approach for Automated Sunquake Detection in Acoustic Emission Maps whawkins Fri, 12/16/2022 - 12:58

Author:

whawkins

Dec 16, 2022

Sunquakes are seismic emissions visible on the solar surface, sometimes associated with solar flares. Despite the availability of several manual detection guidelines, to our knowledge, the astrophysical data produced for sunquakes is new to the field ofMachineLearning.

We introduce an acoustic holography processed dataset constructed from egression-power maps of solar active regions for Solar Cycles 23 and 24. We then present a pedagogical approach to the application of machine learning representation methods for sunquake detection using AutoEncoders, Contrastive Learning, Object Detection and recurrent techniques, which we enhance by introducing several custom domain-specific data augmentation transformations.

With our trained models, we find temporal and spatial locations of peculiar acoustic emission and associate them to eruptive and high energy emission in two C1 class flares. While noting that models are still in a prototype stage and there is much room for improvement, we hypothesize that these have potential to first enable routine detection of weak solar acoustic manifestations.

Process diagram of proposed solution. The gray-labeled augmentations represent standard ML approaches, while the others depict custom transforms that were found by us to improve our sunquake prediction model.

Optimal spectral lines for measuring chromospheric magnetic fields

kolinski — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 20:33:01 +0000

Optimal spectral lines for measuring chromospheric magnetic fields kolinski Mon, 07/11/2022 - 14:33

Dana Lacatus

Chasing the IR Corona through Solar Eclipse Experiments

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WHPI repository of 2024 Total Solar Eclipse activities

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Annular Eclipse Expedition at Hovenweep

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A Machine Learning Enhanced Approach for Automated Sunquake Detection in Acoustic Emission Maps

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Optimal spectral lines for measuring chromospheric magnetic fields

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