A New View of August's Total Solar Eclipse

The Deep Space Climate Observatory will observe the August solar eclipse, providing a unique opportunity for scientists to study Earth's energy system. NASA's Epic camera will capture images of the moon's shadow, and data will be combined with ground measurements to understand how the sun's energy is absorbed and reflected. The eclipse allows scientists to refine calculations of Earth's energy system. NASA has been studying the sun-Earth relationship for over 40 years and plans to launch new instruments to further this research.

What is the primary purpose of the Deep Space Climate Observatory during the solar eclipse?

• To capture images of the sun

• To study the moon's surface

• To observe the moon's shadow on Earth

• To measure Earth's gravitational pull

How do scientists plan to use the data from Epic and ground measurements?

• To predict future solar eclipses

• To understand how the sun's energy interacts with Earth's atmosphere

• To map the surface of the moon

• To calculate the distance between the Earth and the sun

What challenge do clouds present in calculating the sun's energy reaching Earth?

• They reflect all sunlight back into space

• They vary in how they block, absorb, or transmit light

• They are too small to detect

• They move too quickly to measure

Why is the solar eclipse a valuable event for scientists studying Earth's energy system?

• It allows for the study of the moon's surface

• It offers a chance to observe distant stars

• It helps in predicting weather patterns

• It provides a natural experiment to refine energy calculations

What has NASA been doing for over 40 years in relation to the sun and Earth?

• Exploring the outer solar system

• Building space stations

• Studying the relationship between the sun and Earth

• Launching satellites to Mars