Response of the neutral particle upper atmosphere to the solar eclipse of 7 March 1970

Abstract

A series of five pitot probes were launched from Wallops Island, Va. (38[deg]N) in conjunction with the solar eclipse, 7 March 1970. Three soundings were programmed to occur at 40, 80 and 100 per cent obscuration of the Sun (at 100 km) during a 42-min period. The remaining two soundings were made 24 hr before and after the eclipse. The five soundings yielded neutral particle pressure, temperature, and density profiles over the altitude regime 30-125 km. Below 95 km the three density profiles resulting from the eclipse day launches had an average deviation of less than 1.5 per cent. Above 95 km density changes of up to 20 per cent were observed. Such changes in density are comparable in magnitude to those normally observed over a period of several hours. On 10 March 1971, three additional pitot probes were launched from Wallops Island, Va. at times identical to those of the 1970 eclipse day. Comparison of the two sets of data should provide for a more objective analysis regarding atmospheric response to solar input.