INDIA SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTS SOLAR
ECLIPSE OBSERVATIONS IN ANTARCTICA
The
Indian scientific team has successfully conducted for the first
time the solar eclipse observations from the icy Continent of
Antarctica. The solar eclipse of November 23-24, 2003, was a rare
event occurring once in 400 years and hence assumed great scientific
importance. The short duration eclipse was observed over India’s
permanent station at Antarctica "Maitri".
The important experiments
conducted by the Indian team included Multi Wavelength coronal
imaging, shadow bands observations and Thermal response of the
terrestrial atmosphere. The eclipse produced a splendid and spectacular
display of some Bailey’s beads, crimson and beautiful diamond
rings and a corona in its full golden glory with extended streamers.
In addition it resulted in the generation of extensive shadow-bands
which are the rarest and of longest duration running into minutes.
The experiments done
by Indian team were highly successful in recording valuable digital
data on various aspects of the spectacle. The most significant
was the long duration shadow bands. The data collected are being
analysed and the findings would be highly interesting and valuable,
as Antarctica plays a vital role in the determination of global
climatic and atmospheric conditions. The team was fully supported
by our 22nd Wintering Antarctic expedition group. The
success of the national mission has brought more glory to the
Indian Antarctic programme.
