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Solar eclipse provides test for new Circular Slit Spectrometer
A total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, provides a rare opportunity for scientists to study the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona. The eclipse's path of totality includes parts of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, with a small portion visible in Portugal.
In Spain, researchers will conduct a critical field test of the Circular Slit Spectrometer (CISS) at the Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory. Developed by a team in Padua, Italy, the CISS uses a novel circular-slit design to capture the entire solar corona's spectrum in a single image. This technology aims to observe rapid changes in the corona much faster than traditional linear spectrometers, which can take hours to scan the region.
Successful testing could pave the way for future space missions. Studying the corona is vital because solar activity can impact Earth's power grids and communication networks. While the eclipse will be partial in many regions, including much of North America and parts of the Northern Hemisphere, the brief window of totality offers a unique natural laboratory for testing advanced astronomical instrumentation.
Entities
Astrophysical Observatory of Turin · Circular Slit Spectrometer · Federico Landini · Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies · Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory · Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory · NASA · Padua · Paola Zuppella
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- [● 9 SOURCES] The Circular Slit Spectrometer will undergo testing at Spain's Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory during a total solar eclipse on August 12. wxerfm.com · kfgo.com · wtvbam.com · theeuropetoday.com · www.gargalianoionline.gr · +4 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] A successful demonstration of the new optical principle could lead to its application in a future space mission. wxerfm.com · kfgo.com · wtvbam.com · theeuropetoday.com · www.gargalianoionline.gr · +4 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Studying the solar corona is critical because its behavior can impact Earth's communications networks and power grids. wxerfm.com · kfgo.com · wtvbam.com · theeuropetoday.com · thedebrief.org · +1 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The Circular Slit Spectrometer (CISS) can capture the spectrum of the entire solar corona in a single photograph using a circular slit. wxerfm.com · kfgo.com · wtvbam.com · theeuropetoday.com · www.gargalianoionline.gr · +4 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] CISS aims to break down solar light into wavelengths significantly faster than existing instruments. wxerfm.com · kfgo.com · wtvbam.com · theeuropetoday.com · www.gargalianoionline.gr · +4 more