Credit: University of Pittsburgh on YouTube
CONCAN, TX – With aims to unravel the mysteries of solar eclipses, a team of
undergraduate students from the University of Pittsburgh ventured off to launch weather
balloons on Monday from Concan, Texas. Located roughly 80 miles west of San Antonio,
Concan sat right in the path of totality, making it an ideal location for their experiments.
This isn’t the first time the group has ventured to Concan. Last October, they were there
to witness an annular eclipse, taking advantage of the area’s unique position in a
50-square-mile spot that experiences both astronomical phenomena.
Their launch carried a dual purpose. Alongside the standard weather balloons, the team
planned to send up three high-altitude balloons equipped with cameras or light sensors to
investigate a second theory regarding shadow bands, rare patterns that sometimes
accompany eclipses.
Junior Mathilda Nillson, majoring in astronomy and physics, elaborated on the slit theory,
proposing that sunlight bending around the moon could be responsible for the bands.
The preparations were tedious, with the team conducting last-minute practice runs and
fixing equipment glitches. Though it was rather an experiment that can spark a great deal
of optimism, this group of undergraduates entered this experience with an open mind and
an extensive amount of patience, camping out in their special spot for 8 whole hours.
With the next total solar eclipse not expected until 2044, the significance of their
endeavor is something they will cherish for years to come