Effects of the 7 march 1970 solar eclipse on atmospheric electricity, a contribution to the boundary layer discussion

Abstract

Measurements of the electric field, the vertical current density, space charge and conductivity have been carried out at five ground stations and three series of free-air measurements during the 7 March 1970 solar eclipse in and near the totality zone. The problem whether the observed variations in electric parameters are caused by near-ground processes (related to eddy diffusion) or by highaltitude processes is not yet solved. It was possible, however, to offer a speculative explanation with the first assumption for the majority of the observations. The most important conclusion is the ecquisition of a better understanding of the requirements for measurements made for investigating solar eclipse effects. Also, it seems that simple models are not sufficient to explain the sequence of variations seen in the data.

Impact of a total solar eclipse on surface atmospheric electricity

“…Dry and wet bulb temperatures were reported attaining nearly the same values [Das et al, 1982]. Previous reports of prevalence of calm winds near totality are available [Markson and Kamra, 1971;Dolezalek, 1972;Antonia et al, 1979;Retalis, 1981 ]. This situation is quite favorable for the growth of submicron size droplets.…”

“…The maximum diminution of potential gradient observed during contacts U-UI and a few minutes later, and also the diminution of the values of sensible heat flux and of stability index (Z/L), indicates the establislunent of stratified stabilation near the grotrod surface during darloless. Under such conditions, the rate of small ion production is reported to increase because of the accumulation of radioactive gases and their daughter products and the decreased diffusional transport of the small ions from lower to higher levels [Dolezalek, 1972]…”

“…A total solar eclipse (TSE) offers an mfique opportunity tbr the plaxming of experiments in atmospheric electricity and boundary layer studies. This is evident from the voluminous reports [Kawano and Nakatani, 1958;Markson and Kamra, 1971;Anderson and Dolezalek, 1972;Anderson, 1972Anderson, , 1976Dolezalek, 1972; Lane-Smith and Markson, 1976;Antonia et al, 1979;Retalis, 1981;Srivastava et al, 1982;Selvam et al, 1983;Manohar et al, 1985] of the major solar eclipse experiments in the past. From the foresaid reports, two points of view are inferable.…”

The Effects of Solar Eclipse of August 1, 2008 on Earth’s Atmospheric Parameters

“…The atmospheric electricity parameters are directly related to the global thunderstorm activities and the solar radiation. There are several papers that report changes in the Earth's near-surface vertical electric potential gradient during solar eclipses (KAMRA and VARSHNEYA, 1967;DOLEZALEK, 1972;KAMRA et al, 1982;DHANORKAR et al, 1989), while others report the disturbances in the ionosphere during solar eclipses in terms of changes in the phase of VLF transmissions (KAUFMANN and SCHAAL, 1968;HOY, 1969;RICARDO et al, 1970;PANT and MAHRA, 1980;PANT and MAHRA, 1994;LELE et al, 1997;CLILVERD et al, 2001). These changes are considered to be path-and frequencydependent (CRARY and SCHNEIBLE, 1965;KAUFMANN and SCHAAL, 1968;REEVE and RYCROFT, 1972;MAHRA, 1976;PANT and MAHRA, 1980;SENGUPTA et al, 1980;LYNN, 1981;MENDES da COSTA et al, 1995).…”

Measurements of electric field and vertical distribution of space charge close to the ground during the solar eclipse of February 16, 1980

“…Some reports [e.g., Koenigsfeld, 1953;Kamra and Varshneya, 1967] even show surface potential gradient reversals during the eclipse. For a review of such studies, the reader is referred to Israel and Fries [1955] and Dolezalek [1972].…”