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NASA Leans Into Solar Eclipse With 3 Rocket Launches: Here’s What’s Up With That

The space agency isn’t letting today’s solar eclipse go to waste.

We’re just hours away from North America’s last total solar eclipse until 2044, and as we prepare to look to the sky, NASA is preparing to launch three rockets.

Before, during and after the eclipse on Monday, NASA will fire three sounding rockets to determine how the total eclipse could affect radio communications on Earth. The findings could pave the way for NASA to develop new technologies to protect radio communications during both brief and extended periods when solar behavior disrupts particles on Earth.

Stargazers from Mexico to the US and Canada are standing by for the last total solar eclipse to pass over the contiguous US for the next 20 years. The duration of totality, or the time during which the moon completely shrouds the sun from view, will last 4 minutes and 27 seconds. The eclipse will reach Texas at approximately 1:10 p.m. ET and Maine by 2:22 p.m. ET. By 4:17 p.m. ET, it will move beyond the eastern North American border.

Firing rockets during an eclipse may sound like it comes straight from a sci-fi movie, but it’s a technique that’s been used for years to measure scientific data and theories. Indeed, eclipses provide critical, if short-lived, opportunities for scientists to gather information on a variety of topic areas to test whether their concepts are accurate.

Arguably the most important finding during an eclipse occurred in May 1919, when scientists discovered during a total eclipse that some stars appeared to be in the wrong place, according to NASA. The finding provided critical evidence to support Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity and the idea that the sun or other large celestial objects have so much gravity that they can bend light and distort spacetime.

NASA’s rocket launches on Monday won’t necessarily have that same gravitas, but science works in increments. The launches will be streamed live, so you can see what happens. Here’s how.

Why is NASA firing rockets during the eclipse?

The space agency is firing three sounding rockets, or rockets carrying scientific instruments, into the ionosphere, the region of the Earth’s atmosphere between the lower atmosphere, where we live, and space.

The ionosphere is scientifically important because it’s made up of particles that become ionized, or electrically charged, when they interact with the sun’s radiation. According to NASA, the ionosphere thins at night and thickens when the sun’s rays are hitting it. The ionosphere can be unpredictable, since it’s highly sensitive to disruption.

«Earth’s terrestrial weather and space weather can impact these particles, making it a dynamic region and difficult to know what the ionosphere will be like at a given time,» NASA says.

Another thing: the ionosphere affects communication, and especially high-frequency communication like radio waves. That could, for instance, create disturbances in communications with pilots in the air or with government agencies doing research. But radio waves traveling to and from satellites aren’t just of concern to aviators and scientists. They’re also vital elements of daily life, from satellite internet services like SpaceX’s Starlink to the GPS signals that underlie all manner of financial transactions and that help you get where you’re going.

From a site in Virginia, NASA’s three rockets will be launched into the ionosphere 45 minutes apart: before the eclipse starts; when the eclipse is ongoing; and after the eclipse has reached its peak. The rockets will reach a maximum altitude of 260 miles, allowing them to spend plenty of time in the ionosphere, which spans 55 miles to 310 miles above the Earth’s surface.

Each of the rockets is carrying four two-liter soda bottle-sized instruments that will be ejected during flight to evaluate any ionosphere disturbances, or perturbations, during the eclipse.

«Gathering the data on these perturbations will help scientists validate and improve current models that help predict potential disturbances to our communications, especially high frequency communication,» NASA says. 

Has NASA fired rockets at an eclipse before?

This isn’t the first time NASA has fired rockets during an eclipse. In October, NASA fired the same three rockets from its White Sands Test Facility in North Mexico during an annular solar eclipse. The agency said that it was able to recover the rockets and refurbish them, allowing them to be used in Monday’s mission.

Thanks to that mission, scientists were able to see ionosphere disturbances after it fired the second and third rockets, during and after the eclipse, respectively. NASA didn’t see any ionosphere disturbance during the first launch.

However, this time around, the rockets are equipped with additional instruments, allowing them to capture more information than they did last year, NASA says.

When is NASA firing its rockets?

NASA plans to launch all three rockets from its Wallops Island facility in Virginia. The first rocket will launch at approximately 2:40 p.m. ET, with the second rocket launching at approximately 3:25 p.m. ET. NASA plans to launch the final rocket by 4:05 p.m. ET.

As always, timing on the launches depends on a variety of factors, including on-the-ground conditions, and may be subject to change. But since the eclipse isn’t waiting for NASA to be ready to fire rockets, expect the space agency to try to keep a tight schedule to ensure it doesn’t miss its window to capture data. 

How can I watch NASA fire rockets at the eclipse?

If you’re interested in watching NASA’s rocket-firing mission, the agency will livestream it from its official Wallops Island YouTube page. It’ll also be featured during NASA’s official solar eclipse broadcast

The rocket-only livestream will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET. NASA will start airing its solar eclipse coverage at 1 p.m. ET.

Technologies

Play and Earn: Adventures in the World of Verum Runner

Play and Earn: Adventures in the World of Verum Runner

In the modern world, cryptocurrencies are becoming an integral part of our everyday lives, offering new opportunities for entertainment, communication, and earning. In this context, crypto games are becoming particularly popular, combining captivating gameplay mechanics with the ability to earn digital assets. One of the bright representatives of this trend is the crypto game Verum Runner.

Journey into a New World:
Verum Runner is an exciting crypto game that takes players on an adventure through the streets of a futuristic city. Become a runner of our time and overcome various obstacles, collecting coins along the way. But what makes Verum Runner unique? The answer is simple: the game’s cryptocurrency economy, which allows players to earn real money while playing.

Earning in the Rhythm of Running:
In the world of Verum Runner, every step, every obstacle overcome is an opportunity to earn digital assets. Players can collect coins during their runs and exchange them for real money. Thus, the game not only brings enjoyment and excitement but also motivates players to develop and earn.

Verum Runner is not just a game; it’s a new world where everyone can become the hero of their own adventure. Immerse yourself in the exciting world of the crypto game and discover endless opportunities for entertainment and earning.

Become part of Verum Runner today and embark on a journey to new adventures!

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Technologies

BitCoinPay Trade: Your Platform for Successful Cryptocurrency Trading

BitCoinPay Trade: Your Platform for Successful Cryptocurrency Trading

Want to enter the world of cryptocurrencies but don’t know where to start? BitCoinPay Trade is your reliable partner in the realm of cryptocurrency operations. Our mobile application provides a wide range of services, ensuring convenience, reliability, and efficiency in every transaction.

1. Reliability in Every Operation

We take pride in our full legality and adherence to global standards in financial regulation. BitCoinPay Trade operates in accordance with the principles of the Financial Conduct Authority and strictly follows KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) rules.

2. Efficiency and Ease of Use

The user-friendly and intuitive interface of BitCoinPay Trade makes cryptocurrency trading a simple and enjoyable task. All the application’s functionalities are presented in a clear format, and our team is ready to process your requests quickly and efficiently.

3. Universality at Your Disposal

With BitCoinPay Trade, you can buy cryptocurrency with fiat money (USD, EUR), store it in secure cold wallets, and conduct spot trading operations on an exchange with high liquidity. Our application offers a wide selection of trading pairs for your convenience.

4. Convenience at Every Step

Our platform supports various methods of depositing and withdrawing fiat funds, including bank transfer, Payeer, and AdvCash. We strive to provide maximum convenience for our users in every aspect of application usage.

5. Multilingual Customer Support

Our friendly customer support team is always ready to help you navigate any questions that arise during the use of our application. We speak your language and are available to you 24/7.

Don’t miss the chance to enter the world of cryptocurrencies with BitCoinPay Trade! Our application is available for download on iOS and Android, and registration takes just a few minutes. Take your first step towards financial freedom today!

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Technologies

BitInterPay — Crypto Bank: Your Path to Safe and Convenient Digital Asset Management

BitInterPay — Crypto Bank: Your Path to Safe and Convenient Digital Asset Management

In a world where digital technologies are rapidly reshaping our daily lives, having a reliable partner for managing finances is crucial. In this context, BitInterPay — Crypto Bank acts as a leading guide in the world of cryptocurrencies and digital assets.

BitInterPay — Crypto Bank is not just another cryptocurrency management application. It’s a full-fledged crypto bank, providing its clients with one of the simplest and safest ways to purchase, exchange, and manage digital assets.

What makes BitInterPay so unique? Firstly, its wide range of services. From storing money in crypto and stocks to the ability to quickly exchange between eight crypto wallets, including VERUM, BNB, USDT, BTC, LTC, BCH, ETH, and DOGE, there’s everything for the convenience of clients.

But the possibilities of BitInterPay don’t stop at cryptocurrencies. Users can also buy and sell stocks of top companies such as Tesla, Google, Apple, and others, as well as invest in metals such as gold and silver, all with just a few clicks.

However, perhaps the most appealing aspect of BitInterPay — Crypto Bank is its ease of use. The intuitive interface of the mobile application makes working with cryptocurrency and digital assets accessible to everyone, while a team of professionals is always ready to help and answer customer questions.

Security is another fundamental aspect of BitInterPay’s operation. Guaranteed protection of personal financial data and digital assets is a priority for the crypto bank.

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the new era of digital assets. Start using the BitInterPay — Crypto Bank app today!

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