The total solar eclipse of March 2006: overview

Abstract

Abstract. This paper provides the overview of an integrated, multi-disciplinary effort to study the effects of the 29 March 2006 total solar eclipse on the environment, with special focus on the atmosphere. The eclipse has been visible over the Eastern Mediterranean, and on this occasion several research and academic institutes organised co-ordinated experimental campaigns, at different distances from eclipse totality and at various environments in terms of air quality. Detailed results and findings are presented in a number of component scientific papers included in a Special Issue of Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. The effects of the eclipse on meteorological parameters, though very clear, were shown to be controlled by local factors rather than the eclipse magnitudes, and the turbulence activity near surface was suppressed causing a decrease in the Planetary Boundary Layer. In addition to the above, the decrease in solar radiation has caused change to the photochemistry of the atmosphere, with night time chemistry dominating. The abrupt "switch off" of the sun, induced changes also in the ionosphere (140 up to 220 km) and the stratosphere. In the ionosphere, both photochemistry and dynamics resulted to changes in the reflection heights and the electron concentrations. Among the most important scientific findings from the experiments undertaken has been the experimental proof of eclipse induced thermal fluctuations in the ozone layer (Gravity Waves), due to the supersonic movement of the moon's shadow, for the first time with simultaneous measurements at three altitudes namely the troposphere, the stratosphere and the ionosphere.Correspondence to: E. Gerasopoulos (egera@meteo.noa.gr)Within the challenging topics of the experiments has been the investigation of eclipse impacts on ecosystems (field crops and marine plankton). The rare event of a total solar eclipse provided the opportunity to evaluate 1 dimensional (1-D) and three dimensional (3-D) radiative transfer (in the atmosphere and underwater), mesoscale meteorological, regional air quality and photochemical box models, against measurements.

The effects of a solar eclipse on photo-oxidants in different areas of China

“…The drop in surface temperature during a solar eclipse is of broad interest and becomes noticeable when the sun is about half covered (Anderson, 1999). Most studies find similar patterns of temperature change, with the lowest values occurring a few minutes after maximum solar coverage, but the reduction experienced may not be directly determined by the magnitude of the eclipse, but by the surrounding environment and local conditions Gerasopoulos et al, 2008). Recent research into the meteorological effects of solar eclipses reveals a decrease in mean wind speed during an eclipse, and this is attributed to the combined effect of a decrease in the thermal gradient and Published by Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union.…”

“…Plausible variations in stratospheric composition caused by solar eclipses have been addressed by earlier studies (Mims and Mims, 1993;Zerefos et al, 2000;Gogosheva et al, 2002). Previous studies have also focused on the effects on tropospheric ozone and other photo-oxidants.…”

Effects of the solar eclipse on 15 January 2010 on the surface O<sub>3</sub>, NO, NO<sub>2</sub>, NH<sub>3</sub>, CO mixing ratio and the meteorological parameters at Thiruvanathapuram, India

“…1-2) after the full phase of eclipse event. The changes might have followed the behavior of the night time chemistry during the eclipse event Gerasopoulos et al, 2008).…”

Influence of solar eclipse on seawater

“…After few hours of the eclipse event these organisms come to their normal behaviour since the seawater regains its original pH value after an hour of the end of the eclipse. As per the report of Sharma et al [13] the change in meteorological parameters and the photochemical ozone formation during eclipse are more or less similar to the behaviour of night time chemistry [27].…”