Total Solar Eclipse on 12 August: American students to launch high-altitude balloons from Reykjanes
In connection with the total solar eclipse visible from Iceland on Wednesday, 12 August, a group of students and teachers from the science club at Hanover High School in New Hampshire, United States, will launch two high-altitude research balloons from the Reykjanes Peninsula. The project forms part of the students’ field studies in Iceland and is carried out in collaboration with GeoCamp Iceland and Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark.
Under the guidance of Kevin Lavigne, a science teacher and leader of the school’s science club, students aged 15–17 will investigate how the total solar eclipse affects the atmosphere and surrounding environment. The balloons will be equipped with a range of instruments that will collect data on temperature, air pressure, light levels and other changes occurring during the eclipse.
For several years, Hanover High School has developed a strong research programme in which students design and build their own instruments and conduct real scientific research. The project in Iceland gives them a unique opportunity to study one of the year’s most remarkable natural phenomena under ideal conditions on the Reykjanes Peninsula. More information about the project is available on the GeoCamp Iceland website here.
Science, nature and art during the eclipse
A separate study will also examine bird behaviour during the total solar eclipse. The plan is to make audio recordings near seabird cliffs on the Reykjanes Peninsula to determine whether the birds’ behaviour changes when light conditions shift suddenly.
Elizabeth McTernan, a professor at the University of Iowa, will also launch a specially equipped high-altitude balloon. The balloon’s journey through the atmosphere will be transformed into a sound-based artwork. The project brings together science, data and artistic creation, demonstrating how scientific measurements can be used creatively. McTernan has worked at the intersection of art and science for many years, including collaborations with Icelandic–Danish artist Olafur Eliasson.
GeoCamp Iceland places a strong emphasis on field-based learning, scientific literacy and international collaboration in the natural sciences. These eclipse-related projects demonstrate how students can participate in real research by working alongside scientists and teachers to collect data and share knowledge.
Teachers and the public invited to attend
Teachers, students and anyone interested in science and science communication are invited to follow the preparations and watch the balloons being launched. Students and teachers from Hanover High School will present the project on site and answer questions from visitors.
A presentation for Icelandic primary and secondary schools is also planned for later in the year. It will introduce the project and explore how similar high-altitude balloon research could be incorporated into education in Iceland.
Due to weather conditions and the importance of recovering the research equipment, the final launch location will be confirmed no later than 10 August. Further details about the time and location will then be shared with the media and published through GeoCamp Iceland’s channels.
For further information, please contact:
Ólafur Jón Arnbjörnsson
GeoCamp Iceland
Telephone: +354 894 6046
Email: olijon@geocamp.is