Total Solar Eclipse of 1 August 2008 as experienced from the Haughton-Mars Project Research Station, Devon Island, High Arctic
Mars Institute, SETI Institute & NASA Ames Research Center
On 1 August 2008, a total solar eclipse was observed at the Haughton-Mars Project (HMP) Research Station on Devon Island, High Arctic (Fig. 1). Totality was expected to be centered at 9:25 am UT (4:25 am CDT) and to last approximately 1.5 minutes, with the Sun at an elevation of approximately 8 degrees.
Observations planned for the eclipse included optical astronomy, in particular a search for possible comets in the vicinity of the Sun (PI: Dr Alan Hale), and a radio-astronomy experiment (PI: Bill Atwood). In addition, time-lapse videos would be acquired and a live web-cast conducted in support of the HMP's Education and Public Outreach (E/PO) activities.
Weather conditions at the time of the eclipse were unfavorable: Overcast; Winds: 15-20 kts from the South. The Sun's disc was not visible at any time during the eclipse. Optical astronomy observations were cancelled. The radio-astronomy experiment was carried out successfully. Results from the latter will be published after data analysis is completed. The time-lapse videos and web-cast did not encounter any technical difficulty.
No significant dimming of ambient light was perceived by the naked eye until approximately 4:15 am CDT. By then, the HMP Research Station (HMP RS) was well in the penumbra zone. Ambient light levels continued to drop significantly from 4:15 to 4:22 am CDT, then rapidly and dramatically from approximately 4: 22 to 4:24 am CDT. By approximately 4:24 am CDT, "night fell" on the HMP RS as the umbra zone passed over camp. For approximately 1 minute and 35 seconds, the site experienced almost complete darkness. Light levels had increased significantly again by approximately 4:26 am CDT. By 4:30 am CDT, ambient light levels appeared to be back to normal.
The last total solar eclipse over any portion of Devon Island was on 21 August 1914. The last total solar eclipse over the HMP RS site was the annular eclipse of 6 May 1845. The next total solar eclipse over any portion of Devon Island will be on 23 August 2044. The umbra zone of that eclipse will again include the HMP RS site.
The following thirty HMP-2008 participants were present at the HMP RS during the eclipse:
Joseph Atchealak, Bill Atwood, Steven Baird, Mia Bourne, Stephen Braham, Tom Chase, Joanna Cohen, Jean-Marc Comtois, Megan Ennis, Charles Frankel, Brian Glass, Sarah Huffman, Jarloo Kiguktak, Mike Langenhan, Pascal Lee, Laurent Lichtenstein, Charles Mason, Jonathan Nelson, John Parnell, Christine Pires, Mary Roach, John Schutt, Sasa SImeonie, Shannon Statham, Sarah Thompson, Marcelo Vasquez, Elaine Walker, Jesse Weaver, Eleanor Whitworth, Nicholas Wilkinson.
In addition, two dogs were on site: Kimmiq and Ping Pong.
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| Figure 1: Map showing the path and duration of umbra in Arctic Canada for the Total Solar Eclipse of 1 August 2008. The "Mars Camp" dot on Devon Island marks the location of the Haughton-Mars Project Research Station. (Source: NASA 2008 Eclipse Bulletin, F. Espenak & J. Anderson). |
