Radio JOVE Solar Eclipse Citizen Science

The Radio JOVE Project (https://radiojove.gsfc.nasa.gov/) will use citizen scientists to observe the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses by using a network of low frequency radio spectrographs (16-24 MHz) and single-frequency (20 MHz) stations. Because the observed frequencies are near the daytime ionospheric cutoff (~10 MHz) we can study the effects of the solar eclipses on radio wave propagation through the ionosphere by measuring solar and Galactic radio emissions before, during, and after the eclipses. Limited data from the 2017 solar eclipse show a marginal effect on solar radio burst intensities observed from the path of totality. More thorough and widespread observations are needed to quantify any changes in the ionosphere caused by the lunar shadow.

The 2023 annular eclipse will be used as a training, learning, and testing experience for participating citizen scientists so we may achieve the highest quality data for the 2024 total eclipse. Radio JOVE partners with the NASA Heliophysics Education Activation Team (HEAT) and the SunRISE mission to develop training modules to inspire and guide radio amateurs to become citizen scientists. We overview the current radio telescope and data archive, and present a Google map of our observing network, sample training modules, and our plans for the upcoming solar eclipses.