Simulating the April 8 Solar Eclipse in Real Time

Major

Physics

Second Major

Computer Science

Submission Type

Poster

Area of Study or Work

Mathematics, Physics

Faculty Advisor

Trevor Jack

Location

CNS Atrium

Start Date

4-13-2024 8:30 AM

End Date

4-13-2024 9:45 AM

Abstract

The total solar eclipse will cross over North America on April 8, 2024. Our simulation of this event aims to accurately predict the path of totality of the eclipse in real time. We will use Python and Blender to produce several animations. One will trace the moon’s shadow crossing over North America in real time. Another will showcase the alignment of the moon, sun, and Earth and how it produces the full shadow–the umbra–that we observe during the eclipse. Lastly, we will animate the moon overlaying the sun during the eclipse. We also aim to computationally calculate the path of totality and the corresponding positions of the sun, moon, and Earth to better understand the underlying physics and mathematics of this event.

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Apr 13th, 8:30 AM Apr 13th, 9:45 AM

Simulating the April 8 Solar Eclipse in Real Time

CNS Atrium

The total solar eclipse will cross over North America on April 8, 2024. Our simulation of this event aims to accurately predict the path of totality of the eclipse in real time. We will use Python and Blender to produce several animations. One will trace the moon’s shadow crossing over North America in real time. Another will showcase the alignment of the moon, sun, and Earth and how it produces the full shadow–the umbra–that we observe during the eclipse. Lastly, we will animate the moon overlaying the sun during the eclipse. We also aim to computationally calculate the path of totality and the corresponding positions of the sun, moon, and Earth to better understand the underlying physics and mathematics of this event.