Primary Science Goals
Eclipse Megamovie 2024 (EM2024) is similar to its predecessor in 2017, which was also organized by Dr. Laura Peticolas (Sonoma State University) and Dr. Carlos Martinez Oliveros (UC Berkeley). EM2017 recruited hundreds of citizen scientists who submitted tens of thousands of photos of the 2017 total solar eclipse. Their work aided efforts to study the Sun's corona--something we can only study during total solar eclipses. Within these pictures, a plasma plume was identified, and it is this phenomenon that we hope to study more extensively following the 2024 total solar eclipse. Not only will the research and data collection method improve with this grant, the EM team will also be able to do more with the data collected in 2017.
In 2024, we will once again be recruiting citizen scientist photographers and helping them in collecting images of the solar corona during the total solar eclipse. We will then use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support analysis of the images to reveal the plasma transients within collections of photographs. We will also provide training for our citizen scientists to use their own cameras to obtain significant scientific data. Computer programmers and scientists will support the AI analysis work, together with the SSU and Berkeley teams. We look forward to working with our incredible community of citizen scientists and eclipse photographers again, as well as each and every new member that finds us in the next stage of this journey to understand more about the Sun's corona and plasma plumes!
Expected Scientific Discoveries
The Eclipse Megamovie Project will add a new dimension to our existing studies of the Sun’s faint outer atmosphere, the corona. By stitching together thousands of images taken along the path of the 2017 total solar eclipse, we have already created a unique treasure-trove of information on how the corona changes over time. Radio-wave studies have allowed us to closely observe very rapid variations of the corona, but now we expect to study such processes directly using visible light and thus enrich our knowledge of the Sun’s dynamic atmosphere considerably. The data gathered via the Eclipse Megamovie Project will be made available publicly and are expected to allow scientists to analyze the Sun’s corona for many years to come. This will show how the Sun changes over a few hours, but also how it’s different after a period of seven years. The high-resolution processed images may also be shared with fellow solar eclipse researchers to incorporate into their own endeavors if desired, such as the work published by Pasachoff and Rušin in 2022 to understand the evolution of magnetic fields.
Who participated in 2017?
Photos contributed to this project were submitted by many dedicated volunteers. The images included in the Megamovie were provided by the Megamovie Photo Team, a special group of over a thousand volunteers who signed up in advance and helped test the project ahead of time. Thank you to all who participated!
Who can participate in 2024?
We are looking for volunteers with a wide range of skills, experience, and knowledge. We are looking for citizen scientists from all backgrounds. In addition to all enthusiasts, scientists, and researchers, we are hoping to recruit software engineers and data scientists who have experience in software engineering and data science. Specifically, we are actively recruiting those with technical expertise in databases, python coding, and machine learning. We are also looking for Spanish-speaking volunteers to assist in recruitment and communication efforts with Spanish-speaking communities in the path of totality in Texas.
What is different about this project?
EM2017’s goal was to create a movie with photographs taken by citizen scientists all over the US along the path of totality enabling a deeper study of the Sun’s corona. EM2024 will add to this while also helping us understand more about plasma plumes and solar jets. Once we have all of the photographs, we will host a Kaggle Community Competition, seeking help from our volunteers in the alignment of the images in a way similar to that of the first Megamovie. Kaggle Community Competitions are designed to provide challenges for competitors at all stages of their machine learning careers. Python code will be shared via the Kaggle Community Coding platform to garner the expertise of volunteer software engineers. We will be working with NASA to offer the winner of the competition the chance to be showcased. This recognition will be awarded to those who create a new set of Flexible Image Transport System (FITS) files and HDR images.
