STEVENS POINT – Locally collected solar eclipse data is being sent to NASA to help improve weather models and forecasts, as well as design wireless communication systems that are more resilient to the effects of solar storms. We provide engineers with the information they need.
Twelve members of the Civil Air Patrol's Stevens Point Composite Squadron, including nine cadets ages 12 to 18, partner with NASA, along with more than 40,000 CAP members and classroom students nationwide. participated in the Civil Air Patrol's solar eclipse mission.
“It was a very successful day of data collection for NASA,” said Cadet Sgt. Micah Ritter, 13 years old. She said: “She was happy to be a part of it because it was a great opportunity.”
During the 6.5 hours of the eclipse, the squadron collected data on the eclipse's impact on weather (temperature, cloud cover/type, wind speed/direction, and precipitation) and tracked the eclipse's impact on VHF radio operations.
The Stevens Point Composite Squadron's data improves the solar, ionosphere, and Earth's Helps increase humanity's knowledge about the atmosphere.
Because this type of dataset can only be collected once every few decades, during this short period of solar eclipse, the data collected can be used by scientists to better understand the universe for hundreds of years into the future. It will be done.
Throughout history, solar eclipses have been some of astronomy's most important natural laboratories.
Observations made during past solar eclipses have been used to discover elements, help understand space weather, and even provided evidence to prove Einstein's theory of relativity.
2nd Lt. Lilly Schaefer, 14, the squadron's Cadet Emergency Services Officer, qualified ground team member and radio operator, said she believes this introduction to emergency services missions will help the squadron's ground team grow. Are expected.
“This mission allowed us to put into practice what we learned in the classroom and work with NASA to support a larger mission,” she said.
Although the squadron had a relatively cloudy day, it did not prevent them from enjoying the eclipse. The clouds parted in time, giving us a great view of his 81.9% of the area. Even though there was still plenty of light compared to the all-clear road, the darkness turned on the runway lights and silenced the birds.
The squadron's next mission will be to provide preventive ground support for aircraft arriving at EAA's AirVenture in July of this year.