The Solar Eclipse
APRIL 2024
Chad Arment, 2024
Path of totality
West-central Ohio was right in the path of totality for the April 8, 2024, solar eclipse, creating a fascinating opportunity to photograph this unusual celestial event. These images were taken with a 600mm zoom lens with a solar filter (and without a filter when the moon completely covered the face of the sun). Degree of light intensity was determined by shutter speed.
Eclipse research
A total eclipse gives researchers an opportunity to examine aspects of the sun's atmosphere that would normally be overpowered by intense sunlight. While the moon is centered on the sun, the solar corona can be examined in greater detail by astronomers. For example, the Southwest Research Institute noted, "The corona is millions of degrees Celsius, hundreds of times hotter than the visible surface below, a curious paradox that is a longstanding scientific mystery." Coronal mass ejections can also be seen, large raspberry-colored plasma structures, in some of the photos above. CMEs can affect Earth's weather patterns (and enhance auroras).
