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Experiments Conducted by NASA in the Upcoming Total Solar Eclipse on April 8th

Totality and the April 8^th total solar eclipse offers a rare chance to study the Sun.

We’re less than three weeks away from the April 8^th total solar eclipse that will cross North America. With over 31 million residents living in the path of totality, and many more eager individuals planning to witness this celestial event, several scientific projects are also gearing up to take advantage of the rare opportunity it presents.

The path of the eclipse will span Mexico, the United States (from Texas to Maine), and the Canadian Maritime provinces before heading out over the Atlantic. The maximum totality duration for this eclipse will be 4 minutes and 27 seconds, longer than the previous total solar eclipse in 2017. This event marks the only total solar eclipse globally for 2024 and will be the final one for the contiguous United States until 2044.

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A Brief History of Total Solar Eclipse Science

Solar eclipses have served as rare opportunities for astronomers to conduct unique observations throughout history. For instance, during the total solar eclipse on August 18^th, 1868, the element helium was discovered in the solar chromosphere. Another significant moment was the attempt to test Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity during the eclipse on August 21^st, 1914, which was delayed due to World War I but successfully conducted in 1919. Various experiments and studies during eclipses have contributed to our understanding of the Sun and its surrounding phenomena.

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Leading up to the 20^th century, some experiments conducted during eclipses included hunting for the ‘Allais Effect,’ an endeavor to detect the deflection of a pendulum during totality. While some findings have remained unreplicated, the pursuit of obscure and groundbreaking ideas has persisted and continues to evolve with each new eclipse.

Four Eclipse Science Projects

In preparation for the 2024 total solar eclipse, NASA has selected four major experiments to be conducted during totality:

1. The Solar Patrol sunspot campaign, led by Thangasamy Velusamy from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, aims to monitor changes in the magnetic fields of active sunspot regions as the Moon passes over them. This project will utilize the Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope in California to carry out its observations.

2. The SuperDARN experiment, spearheaded by Bharat Kunduri of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, will investigate how the upper ionosphere reacts during the eclipse by utilizing the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) sites in the path of totality.

3. The Pro/AM ‘Listening Party,’ organized by Nathaniel Frissell of the University of Scranton, will involve ham radio operators observing QSOs (contacts between radio stations) during the eclipse, studying the enhanced nighttime reflectivity of the upper ionosphere.

Eclipse chasing — A modified, eclipse-chasing WB-57 aircraft is towed out for a mission. NASA

Chasing the Shadow

4. NASA’s WB-57 missions are set to take flight once again to chase the shadow of the Moon. The two converted WB-57 Canberra aircraft will follow the Moon’s shadow at high speeds, allowing for additional time in totality. Equipped with cameras and spectrometers, these aircraft will provide astronomers with close-up observations of the inner corona of the Sun, aiding in the study of the ‘coronal heating problem.’

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Images of the Sun from GOES-16, versus the Sun during eclipse (far right) showing loops in the lower corona. NASA

In addition to NASA’s aerial observations, the European Space Agency’s Solar Observatory (SolO) and NASA’s Parker Solar Observatory will be supporting ground-based eclipse measurements. The data collected from these various sources will contribute to ongoing research on solar phenomena.

Furthermore, scientists will be on the lookout for Vulcanoid asteroids during the eclipse, aiming to explore the region near the Sun and potentially uncover new insights about these celestial bodies.

More Total Solar Eclipse Science

Several citizen science projects will also be active on April 8^th, including the Citizen Continental-America Telescope Eclipse network (Citizen CATE), where volunteers will gather data to enhance our understanding of the Sun’s corona.

Eclipse animation — An animation of the corona in polarized light, as seen during the 2017 total solar eclipse. NASA/Gopalswamy et al.

Whether you’re conducting scientific research or simply enjoying the spectacle of the eclipse, the upcoming April 8^th total solar eclipse promises to be a captivating event for all. Remember to observe safely and seize the opportunity to witness this celestial wonder.

Intellectuals Insider

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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.