‘Serious science’: NASA jet flying at 450 mph will follow the path of a solar eclipse to study the sun at Monday’s sky show

The solar eclipse is scheduled to occur on April 8th. Watch parties are being planned, there are concerns about traffic, and many warnings have been issued about how to safely view this celestial phenomenon.

What should we know about the safety features of the special glasses everyone is buying? And how will NASA study the Sun during this unique event?

Sten Odenwald of NASA’s Solar Physics Education Activation Team joined WTOP’s Sean Anderson and Ann Kramer to help figure out what happens during a solar eclipse.

The full interview is below.

NASA astronomer Sten Odenwald joins WTOP to discuss solar eclipse

The transcript below has been lightly edited for clarity.

Ann Kramer: There are only a few days left until the solar eclipse. Watch parties are being planned, there are concerns about traffic in areas where the total solar eclipse will take place, and warnings have been issued not to look directly at the sun during the eclipse. So what if you want to take a photo from your phone?

Sean Anderson: Helping us understand it better and offering other advice and warnings is Sten Odenwald. He is part of his NASA Solar Physics Education Activation Team. Thank you very much for joining us today. I am truly grateful.

Sten Odenwald: Yes, this is all very exciting.

Sean Anderson: absolutely. These days, we live in a world where many people take selfies. So what do you need to know about using your phone to take photos of a solar eclipse?

Sten Odenwald: Modern smartphone cameras are extremely sensitive. I mean, the last few generations have been really great. So under no circumstances should you point your $1,000 sensitive smartphone at the sun. I think the safest method is to wear eclipse glasses over your camera’s selfie lens and photograph the eclipse over your shoulder. That way, you don’t have to look directly at the sun, you don’t have to worry about squinting, and the camera automatically focuses and adjusts properly. But don’t expect Corona or anything great. After all, it’s a very small lens. You can also practice taking photos of the sun on Monday morning to perfect your technique in time.

Ann Kramer: Sounds like good advice. I remember when I was a kid using a cardboard box with a pinhole in it and a piece of cardboard to watch the solar eclipse. I’m sure Sean remembers it too. We have now graduated to eclipse glasses – you mentioned it. How do you know if it’s safe when you pick it up?

Sten Odenwald: The ISO code (ISO 12312-2) must be listed. This means the lens material is certified to protect you from UV rays, vision, and most of the infrared radiation from the sun.

Another method is to look at a very, very bright light, like a 100-watt light bulb. And if there are just barely any filaments left, it probably means they’re okay too. But look for the ice ISO code. That’s the best perk of getting good glasses.

Sean Anderson: I noticed that the pair here at the station says, and this is a quote, “Limit intermittent continuous use to 3 minutes over several hours.” What is it about?

Sten Odenwald: Well, even the best filters will let some infrared radiation through. ISO filters also allow 3% of the infrared radiation from the sun to pass through. That alone makes it go through the eyes and make them a little hot. Therefore, if you wear these glasses for a long time, your eyes will become warm and uncomfortable. So every once in a while, look at the sun to see if it’s still there. And be happy with that. This is not a high definition movie.

Ann Kramer: Sten, I hear that NASA scientists are trying to fly jets not too far from what’s going on. what are they looking for?

Sten Odenwald: Now, the biggest mystery is, of course, the coronavirus. Now that we know quite a lot about it, we would like to study the magnetic field and the corona and its composition. However, in reality, total solar eclipses that occur on the ground are limited to about 3 to 4 minutes.

What they’re going to do is fly a pair of jets along a total orbit at 450 miles per hour…basically, the eclipse will travel at 2000 miles per hour. So instead of just 3-4 minutes of corona observation time, you get about 6 minutes of corona observation time.

Therefore, a few extra minutes are enough to do some serious science.

Learn more about solar eclipses:

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