FORMOSAT-3For the most spectacular total solar eclipse of the 21st century, the National Space Organization (NSPO) conducted a full-path intense observation with FORMOSAT-3 for eleven days both before and after the eclipse which pROVided real-time observation data to scientists in Taiwan and other countries around the world. The NSPO also established an inteet network for this special occasion. (www.nspo.org.tw/2009eclipse)
FORMOSAT 3's special orbit design and the instruments on board allowed it to collect ionosphere data from different positions and angles in short periods of time forming dense vertical distribution states. In simple terms, it collected a complete set of data which makes it easier for scientists to look for relationships. This makes FORMOSAT 3's intense observation particularly useful, explained NSPO Director General, Dr. Miao Jiun-jin.
The most spectacular total solar eclipse of the century occurred in Asia on July 22, 2009 making it an astronomical event followed around the world. And FORMOSAT-3 has conducted intense observations over the entire path of the eclipse. This total solar eclipse started at 8:53 in India (70.5 degrees east longitude, 20.5 degrees north latitude), cross eastward over China going out to sea at Shanghai, China at 9:40 and finally ended at 12:18 in the center of the Pacific (157.7 west latitude, 12.8 degrees south latitude). Eighty percent of the solar eclipse were visible in Taiwan. The solar eclipse had a path width reaching 251 kilometers and a totality lasting 6 minutes and 39 seconds.
A solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the sun and earth during the moon's revolution around the sun. When the sun / moon / earth are almost on the same line, the moon's shadow falls upon the Earth and produces a solar eclipse. Scientists around the world were eagerly anticipating this longest solar eclipse of the century. All kinds of instruments were also being put into use to observe this unique moment during this century. For Taiwan, NARL used FORMASAT-3 to perform an 11-day intense observation from July 17 to 27 and collect data on the changes in the ionosphere density during the solar eclipse. Due to its extensive range of observation, FORMASAT-3 covered a 100 to 700 km area on the Earth's surface which can help scientists observe astronomical phenomenon they were previously unable to see.
Taiwan's observation team, led by Dr. Chao-Han Liu, Vice President of Academia Sinica, conducted intense observations fourteen days before and after the solar eclipse. And the NSPO scientists along with other scientists around the world tracked and researched the changes in the Earth's atmosphere and ionosphere during the brief period the sun did not shine on it.
The ionosphere is located above the atmosphere. Virtually all of the orbits of civil-use satellites pass through the ionosphere hundreds of kilometers above the Earth. If there is a sudden change in the ionosphere density, it could have an impact on satellite communications and GPS transmission which could directly or indirectly affect precision aerospace and aeronautical communications.
For this event, Taiwan conducted joint observations with the United States and China. During this period of intense observation, the six microsatellites that make up the main payload of FORMOSAT-3 (GPS meteorological measurement instruments GOX, GPS Occultation Experiment) pROVided 200 points of GPS observation data from the total solar eclipse and other neighboring regions each day. The tri-band beacon instrument in FORMOSAT-3 payload worked with 10 ground receiver stations in the Pacific region to form an hourly intense observation network during the 6 minute 39 second period when the total solar eclipse occurred on July 22 to pROVide up to 40 points of real-time observation data so more complete scientific data can be made available to global scientists for astrophysics-related research.
