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.

Continue reading "Total Solar Eclipse of 1 August 2008 as experienced from the Haughton-Mars Project Research Station, Devon Island, High Arctic" »

Posted by Elaine Walker at 9:50 PM

This was the live streaming video of the Total Solar Eclipse on August 1, 2008, 4:25 am CDT, at the Haughton-Mars Project Research Station on Devon Island, High Arctic. It includes commentary by Elaine Walker (EPO, HMP, Mars Institute) and Dr. Pascal Lee Dr. Pascal Lee (Director, HMP / NASA Ames, Mars Institute, SETI Institute). The totality, which was one minute and 41 seconds has been shortened in this version.

Thanks to the HMP Communications Team for the streaming video: Dr. Stephen Braham (SFU / HMP Associate Director), Christine Pires (SFU / HMP System Support), Steve Baird (UBC / HMP Field Assistant)

Posted by Elaine Walker at 5:15 PM

Videography: Marcelo Vasquez (NSBRI, Space Radiation Liason)

"Devon Island" song by Elaine Walker (EPO, HMP, Mars Institute)

Posted by Elaine Walker at 5:00 PM

This is a 1 hour time lapse movie of the August 1, 2008 total solar eclipse as seen from the HMP Research Station Webcam2 on Maynard Hill looking North. It was overcast at the time but you can see everything go dark. The time lapse interval is 1 frame per second and each frame is taken a minute apart.

Posted by Elaine Walker at 4:23 PM

Check back just after 4:00 AM Central Standard Time for streaming video of the solar eclipse! Totality is at 4:27 AM. That is 9:27 UT.

For those who sleep through it, we will have the best parts of the video up on this site for your viewing pleasure when you wake up.

We now have thick and solid cloud cover and even an odd sort of darkness from the clouds, but we may get lucky if there are high winds to clear the clouds.

At the very least we will experiencing one minute and 41 seconds of darkness, which will be amazing in itself after some here have seen 24 hour sunlight for weeks on end.

Posted by Elaine Walker at 1:44 AM