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Shadow Bands

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astronomy16 days ago•12 min saved

1842 Shadow Bands: Earth's Breath Remains an Unsolved Eclipse Enigma

During the 1842 total solar eclipse, observers saw faint, wavering 'shadow bands' roll across the ground in the moments before totality. The mainstream explanation attributes these patterns to atmospheric scintillation of a narrowing Sun beam, but the exact details—such as spacing and motion—remain not fully predicted. Recent high-altitude balloon tests (2017 and 2024) by the Shadow Bandits have produced mixed results about where bands originate, and a 2026 arXiv preprint argues for an alternate geometric-optical model, leaving consensus to be settled by future independent data and peer-reviewed testing.

via Space Daily|

#arxiv-preprint #astronomy #atmospheric-scintillation

science21 days ago•211 min saved

Shadow bands reframe eclipse mystery with new data

CNN reports on shadow bands—the faint light-and-dark ripples around total solar eclipses—where scientists testing its cause found in 2017 that a 4.5 Hz signal appeared both on the ground and at high altitude, suggesting diffraction-interference may play a role alongside turbulence. The 2024 eclipse, despite more sensitive sensors, didn’t reveal shadow bands due to cloud cover, and aircraft data likewise failed to reproduce the signal, leaving the mechanism unresolved. With a future eclipse approaching, researchers and citizen scientists plan new measurements from Spain and elsewhere, using simple observation setups to help settle the question.

via CNN|

#astronomy #diffraction-interference #note-5-tags-requested-extra-included-to-clarify

science2 years ago•7 min saved

"Anticipating the Dance of Light Waves: A Guide to the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse"

During the recent solar eclipse in Missouri, viewers were treated to the rare sight of "shadow bands" - undulating waves of faint light that appeared on the ground just before and after totality. These bands are caused by the refraction of light in the atmosphere, and are typically only visible during total eclipses when the sun's light is faint enough. Scientists, including Washington University professor Mike Krawczynski, were particularly excited about this year's eclipse due to the sun's increased activity, resulting in longer totality and the appearance of dramatic bursts of light at the sun's edges called "prominences." This event provided an exciting opportunity to expose the public to the wonders of science and the universe.

via St. Louis Post-Dispatch|

#astronomy #eclipse #missouri

astronomy2 years ago•5 min saved

"Beyond the Eclipse: 6 Must-See Celestial Events and Their Timings"

On April 8, a total solar eclipse will be visible across North America, offering a range of captivating sights such as sunspots, the Purkinje Effect, shadow bands, Baily’s beads, the solar corona, and prominences. These phenomena occur during different phases of the eclipse, providing a unique and awe-inspiring experience for those within the path of totality.

via Forbes|

#astronomy #purkinje-effect #shadow-bands