Meteorological Experiments During the Total Solar Eclipse of February 16, 1980

Abstract

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) conducted special observations during the total solar eclipse on February 16, 1980. These observations were mainly designed to study the effects of the total solar eclipse on the earth's immediate boundary layer and on the troposphere. Two special sites were chosen at Gadag and Raichur in Karnataka for extensive observations. This paper deals with the preliminary results of the data collected at Gadag and from 21 observatories of IMD, in or near the path of totality, during February 14-18, 1980. Preliminary analysis indicates a very significant drop of about 20 degree centigrade, in soil surface temperature and noticeable drop of about 2 degree centigrade in the free air temperature in the earth's immediate bounday layer. Significant reversal of the radiation flow was also observed in the lower atmosphere during the eclipse.