Exploring the Scientific Significance of NASA's Rocket Launches During Solar Eclipses

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Eclipses not only inspire awe and bring people together to observe a stunning celestial phenomenon but also provide scientists with opportunities to unravel mysteries of the solar system.

During the total solar eclipse on April 8, the moon will temporarily obscure the sun’s face from view for millions of people across Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Multiple experiments will be underway to better understand some of the biggest unresolved questions about the golden orb.

NASA will launch sounding rockets and WB-57 high-altitude planes to conduct research on aspects of the sun and Earth that are only possible during an eclipse. These efforts are part of a long history of attempts to gather invaluable data and observations when the moon temporarily blocks the sun’s light.

Each of NASA's high-altitude WB-57 research planes is flown by a single pilot, while an instrument specialist sits in the backseat.

Each of NASA's high-altitude WB-57 research planes is flown by a single pilot, while an instrument specialist sits in the backseat.

One of the most well-known scientific moments linked to an eclipse happened on May 29, 1919. During a total solar eclipse, evidence was found to support Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity. This theory was first fully explained by the scientist in 1916 and is considered a major breakthrough in the field of physics.

Einstein suggested that gravity is caused by the bending of time and space, which alters the very structure of the universe. For instance, he proposed that the gravitational pull of a large object like the sun could bend light coming from another object, like a star behind it, making the star seem slightly off its actual position when viewed from Earth. During a science expedition in 1919, led by English astronomer Sir Arthur Eddington, stars observed from Brazil and West Africa appeared to be in different locations than expected, supporting Einstein's idea.

This discovery is just one of the many scientific insights gained through studying eclipses.

During the 2017 eclipse that passed over the US, NASA and other space agencies used 11 different spacecraft and two high-altitude planes to make observations.

The data collected during that eclipse helped scientists accurately predict the appearance of the corona, the sun's hot outer atmosphere, during the eclipses in 2019 and 2021. Despite its high temperatures, the corona looks fainter compared to the sun's bright surface. However, during an eclipse when the moon blocks most of the sun's light, the corona appears like a halo around the sun, making it easier to study.

One of the enduring mysteries about our star is why the corona is millions of degrees hotter than the sun’s actual surface. According to a 2021 study, the corona maintains a constant temperature, despite the sun’s 11-year cycle of activity. NASA credits more than a decade’s worth of eclipse observations for these new clues.

Scientists have a rare opportunity this year as the sun reaches its peak activity, known as solar maximum. Previous eclipses have shown the sun to be quieter, but now researchers can study it during this active phase.

During the eclipse on April 8, citizen scientists and teams of researchers have the opportunity to make new discoveries that could further our knowledge about our place in the universe.

One interesting way to study eclipses is by sending rockets into the eclipse.

Observing the sun during eclipses helps scientists learn more about how solar material moves from the sun. This material, made up of charged particles called plasma, affects space weather that interacts with Earth's ionosphere. The ionosphere is a layer that separates Earth's lower atmosphere from space.

Three sounding rockets will launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on April 8 to study the eclipse.

Three sounding rockets will launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on April 8 to study the eclipse.

Allison Stancil/NASA

Energetic solar activity released during solar maximum can cause issues for the International Space Station and communication infrastructure. This is because many low-Earth orbit satellites and radio waves operate in the ionosphere, making them susceptible to the effects of dynamic space weather, ultimately impacting GPS and long-distance radio communications.

Experiments to study the ionosphere during an eclipse involve using high-altitude balloons and engaging amateur radio operators in citizen science projects. These operators in different locations will measure the strength and distance of their signals during the eclipse to observe how changes in the ionosphere affect the signals. A similar experiment was conducted during the October 2023 annular eclipse, and researchers are currently analyzing the data collected.

Three sounding rockets will launch consecutively from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia to study the effects of the eclipse on Earth’s upper atmosphere. Aroh Barjatya, a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is leading the experiment known as Atmospheric Perturbations around the Eclipse Path. This research was previously conducted during an annular solar eclipse in October.

Each rocket will release four small scientific instruments, similar in size to soda bottles, along the path of totality. These instruments will measure variations in the temperature, particle density, and electric and magnetic fields of the ionosphere, located approximately 55 to 310 miles (90 to 500 kilometers) above the Earth's surface.

Barjatya emphasized the importance of understanding the ionosphere and creating predictive models to anticipate disruptions. This is essential for ensuring the smooth operation of our communication-dependent society.

The sounding rockets will soar up to 260 miles (420 kilometers) in the sky during their flight.

During the 2023 annular eclipse, the instruments on the rockets detected sudden and noticeable fluctuations in the ionosphere.

Barjatya mentioned that perturbations affecting radio communications were observed in the second and third rockets, but not in the first rocket before peak local eclipse. He expressed excitement about relaunching them during the total eclipse to see if the perturbations occur at the same altitude and maintain the same magnitude and scale.

Excited to witness the perturbations

Three different experiments will be flown on NASA's WB-57 high-altitude research planes.

Peter Layshock, manager of NASA's WB-57 High Altitude Research Program at Johnson Space Center in Houston, mentioned that the WB-57s are capable of carrying nearly 9,000 pounds (4,082 kilograms) of scientific instruments to altitudes ranging from 60,000 to 65,000 feet (18,288 to 19,812 meters) above Earth's surface. This makes them the backbone of the NASA Airborne Science Program.

The WB-57 planes are able to fly instruments above most of Earth's atmosphere, which helps to reduce turbulence and enhance the quality of images captured during the eclipse.

Flying above the clouds for approximately 6 ½ hours without needing to refuel, the WB-57s offer the advantage of providing a continuous and unobstructed view within the eclipse’s path of totality stretching across Mexico and the US. The flight path of these planes ensures that the instruments will remain within the moon's shadow for a longer duration compared to being on the ground. According to Layshock, experiencing four minutes of totality on the ground is equivalent to nearly six minutes of totality while in the plane.

One experiment will also focus on the ionosphere using an instrument called an ionosonde. This device works like radar, sending high-frequency radio signals and listening for echoes bouncing off the ionosphere. It helps measure the number of charged particles present in the ionosphere.

The other two experiments will concentrate on the corona. One of these projects will utilize cameras and spectrometers to gather more information about the temperature and chemical composition of the corona. Additionally, it will collect data on coronal mass ejections, which are large bursts of solar material from the sun.

The jets have custom noses that can carry specialized scientific instruments.

The jets have custom noses that can carry specialized scientific instruments.

Amir Caspi, a principal scientist at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, is leading another project. The goal is to capture images of the eclipse from 50,000 feet (15,240 meters) above Earth's surface. The aim is to observe structures and details within the middle and lower corona.

For the project, high-speed and high-resolution cameras will be used. These cameras are capable of taking images in both visible light and infrared light. Additionally, the experiment will also search for asteroids that orbit within the sun's glare.

"In the infrared, the possibilities of what we might discover are endless, adding to the excitement of these unique observations," explained Caspi. "Each eclipse presents a fresh chance to build upon our knowledge. We can use what we learned from the previous eclipse to uncover another piece of the puzzle."

Editor's P/S:

The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8th presents a unique opportunity for scientists to study the sun and its effects on Earth. NASA will launch sounding rockets and WB-57 high-altitude planes to conduct research on aspects of the sun and Earth that are only possible during an eclipse. These experiments aim to unravel mysteries about the corona, solar material, and the ionosphere, and could potentially lead to advancements in our understanding of space weather and its impact on communication infrastructure.

The study of eclipses has a long history, with one of the most well-known scientific moments being the confirmation of Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity during a total solar eclipse in 1919. Eclipses have also provided valuable insights into the sun's corona, which is millions of degrees hotter than the sun's actual surface. The upcoming eclipse will allow scientists to study the corona during the sun's peak activity, known as solar maximum, providing new clues about this enigmatic phenomenon.