Partial Solar Eclipse Effects on Temperature and Wind in an Equatorial Atmosphere.
Abstract
A partial solar eclipse (approximately three hours duration) occurred at Fort Sherman, Panama Canal Zone (9 deg 20 min N, 79 deg 59 min W), in the early morning hours on 24 December 1973. Five rocket-borne temperature sensors were deployed at an altitude of 60 to 65 km before, during, and after the eclipse. Temperatures and winds were measured as the sensors descended by parachute. Analysis of the data indicates that there was 3- to 5C cooling produced in the layer 50-52 km as the solar radiation was partially blocked from reaching the earth's atmosphere. Zonal wind speed was also affected at those levels from 15 m/sec before the eclipse to 9 m/sec during the maximum phase. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- AD0782956
Entities
People
- J. S. Randhawa
Organizations
- Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory