{"id":194779,"date":"2024-04-02T10:35:35","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T20:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=194779"},"modified":"2024-04-02T12:25:22","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T22:25:22","slug":"unlock-sun-secrets-during-eclipse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2024\/04\/02\/unlock-sun-secrets-during-eclipse\/","title":{"rendered":"东精影业<\/abbr> astronomer leads effort to unlock Sun’s secrets during eclipse"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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2017 total solar eclipse as seen above Oregon. (Credit: NASA<\/abbr>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the planet awaits the celestial spectacle of the April 8th total solar eclipse, award-winning astronomer Shadia Habbal from the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> Institute for Astronomy<\/a> (IfA<\/abbr>) is gearing up to lead a world-class team of researchers at three North America locations to conduct in-depth observations during this rare event. Data collected during eclipses can provide crucial insights into space weather, offering the potential to protect and enhance technologies such as GPS and satellite communications, as well as our electrical grids.<\/p>\n

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Shadia Habbal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Habbal\u2019s team, known as the Solar Wind Sherpas<\/a>, is a diverse ensemble of IfA<\/abbr> graduate students and scientists from across the globe. Her team will be strategically stationed in multiple locations including Texas, Arkansas and Mexico—all prime areas to view the phenomenon.<\/p>\n

“Eclipses offer unique opportunities to study the outer atmosphere of the Sun, because the Sun is so bright that we can\u2019t see the fainter outermost parts. It\u2019s just like you don’t see stars during the daytime, but the stars are still there, so it\u2019s the same thing,” Habbal said.<\/p>\n

Chasing darkness<\/h2>\n

Through the years, the Solar Wind Sherpas have chased eclipses across the globe, from the breathtaking landscapes of Kenya to frigid Antarctica, Chile, and the South Pacific. This year marks a milestone for Habbal as she prepares to witness her 20th total eclipse.<\/p>\n