US space agency NASA is opening up an opportunity where eclipse viewers around the country can participate in a nation-wide science experiment by collecting cloud and temperature data from their phones.
The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment, or GLOBE, Program is a NASA-supported research and education program that encourages students and citizen scientists to collect and analyze environmental observations. GLOBE Observer is a free, easy-to-use app that guides citizen scientists through data collection.
For the first time in 99 years, on August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will occur across the entire continental United States.
NASA says crossing the country from Oregon to South Carolina over the course of an hour and a half, 14 states will experience night-like darkness for approximately two minutes in the middle of the day.
The eclipse enters the US at 10:15 a.m. PDT off the coast of Oregon and leaves US shores at approximately 2:50 p.m. EDT in South Carolina. And all of North America will experience at least a partial eclipse.
In order to participate, you need to first download the GLOBE Observer app and register to become a citizen scientist.
The app will instruct you on how to make the observations. You will also need to obtain a thermometer to measure air temperature.
Observations will be recorded on an interactive map.
To join in the fun, NASA says you can download the GLOBE Observer app https://observer.globe.gov/about/get-the-app.
After you log in, the app explains how to make eclipse observations.
Check out NASA video below to learn more about the GLOBE Observer eclipse app!
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