A total solar eclipse will darken a swath of North America as the Moon blocks the light of the Sun for a few minutes on 8 April 2024. In addition to casting a breathtaking, passing shadow over the heads of millions of people, this total solar eclipse gives scientists a unique opportunity to study the Sun, the Earth and their joint interactions.
Nasa will fund five interdisciplinary science projects to make the most of this opportunity. The projects, which are led by researchers at different academic institutions, will study the Sun and its influence on Earth with a variety of instruments, including cameras aboard high-altitude research planes, ham radios and more. Two of the projects also encourage participation from citizen scientists.
“Seven years after the last American total solar eclipse, we’re thrilled to announce the selection of five new projects that will study the 2024 eclipse,” said Peg Luce, acting director of the heliophysics division in...