Graphic 4a: 1980 Ground-based photograph of total solar eclipse near a time of solar maximum

Welcome to Tactile Graphic number 4a – the 1980 Ground-based Photograph! This is the fourth of seven images supporting the Petroglyph Inquiry.

Whether you are engaging fully with the Petroglyph Inquiry (recommended) or just browsing the PUNCH Outreach set of seven images in a random order, we strongly encourage you to begin by reading the 2-page section entitled Essential Background if you have not already done so.

Guided Description of the Tactile Graphic number 4a

Two solar representations are shown side-by-side. On the left side is a photograph of the 1980 total solar eclipse, and on the right side is a thermoform representation of that photo.

Graphics 4a and 4b represent a pair of ground-based photographs, one at solar maximum and the other at solar minimum. Your task is to compare them.

The tactile image between the Braille areas at the top and bottom of Graphic 4a represents a ground-based photograph of a total solar eclipse near a time of solar maximum when solar storms are more likely to occur. The photo was made by an expedition team from the High-Altitude Observatory - a world-renowned scientific research institution devoted to studying the Sun. The team observed and photographed the eclipse on February 16, 1980, from Palem, India.

Every 11-years the Sun has a few-year period when solar storms are more frequent called Solar Maximum. After every solar maximum there is a period of Solar Minimum when solar storms are less likely to occur.

Please pause to explore the tactile image, be sure to find the features and address the question listed below:

  1. A central circular disk representing the Sun eclipsed by the Moon
  2. Coronal features extending out from most all directions around of the central disk
  3. Do you detect any curve or distortion that might represent the presence of a CME in this image?

When you are ready, click the NEXT button to go to Graphic 4b, which represents a ground-based photograph of a total solar eclipse made by another High-Altitude Observatory expedition team near a time of solar minimum.

Compare the ground-based photographs represented in Graphics 4a and 4b to notice the main difference between them? How is the shape of the overall corona different during a solar maximum compared to the shape of the coronal during a solar minimum?

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