Students majoring in Education will have a unique opportunity to assist NASA by collecting data during the highly anticipated solar eclipse – one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights – on Monday, Aug. 21.
Atmospheric conditions, such as the amount of cloud cover and color, as well as atmospheric aerosols (solid particles in the air) will be tracked by 67 pre-service teachers enrolled in Elementary Science Methods (EDU 403), an upper level course for future teachers.
Though Fredonia lies outside of the narrow ribbon of totality, the path of the total eclipse – where the moon completely covers the sun – data recorded on campus during a partial eclipse will nevertheless be valuable to NASA, said Science Education Professor Michael Jabot, a member of NASA’s international education team.
“NASA scientists want this baseline data for their studies and are interested because, during the eclipse, we’ll have lost the visual light portion of the sun’s energy,” Dr. Jabot explained. “We will have the ability to look at the impact of the eclipse on these atmospheric variables.”
The eclipse’s “path of totality” – projected to be about 70 miles wide – is to pass through portions of 14 states, from Lincoln Beach, Ore., to Charleston, S.C., between 1 and 4 p.m. Jabot anticipates a sun-blocking value of 73 percent in the Fredonia area.
“While we will not experience totality here in Fredonia, these data collected are crucial for a number of earth-science modeling needs,” said Jabot, a U.S. GLOBE Partner and NASA Earth Ambassador.
Students will collect data on campus from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Ring Road quad. Community members are welcome to attend and assist in gathering information, Jabot noted. “The more hands, the better to collect data.”
