Measuring solar eclipse impact on Ham radios in Scranton
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Science students at the University of Scranton are getting a once-in-a-lifetime lesson Monday.
Through NASA-supported research, students are looking at how the solar eclipse impacts radio waves.
At the university’s state-of-the-art ham radio studio, there was lots of activity there. Students say it’s an incredible learning opportunity.
The studio was built in the fall of 2023 through an Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) grant awarded to Doctor Frissell, who is leading Monday’s research with students and ham radio operators.
The Big Dim: 28/22 News Solar Eclipse Special Report
Students have been busy all day communicating with ham radio operators from across the globe.
They’ve been collecting data of changes in the earth’s electrically charged upper atmosphere that occur during the eclipse.
This project is called the HAMSCI Solar Eclipse QSO party, and it’s one of just five projects selected by NASA for the study of the total solar eclipse.
“We have a lot of great guests here, a lot of traction at the university. It’s a really great opportunity to gather data because of the amount of coverage we are getting for this eclipse,” said University of Scranton electrical engineering student Thomas Pisano.
Students will be here working until 8:00 p.m. Monday.
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