The Radio JOVE Project

Radio JOVE 2024 Solar Eclipse Citizen Science Observation Instructions

Practice observing sessions scheduled for 2024:

1. Practice Session #1 - Thursday, February 15, 2024, 20:00 CST (0200 UTC, next day)
2. Practice Session #2 - Thursday, February 29, 2024, 20:00 CST (0200 UTC, next day)
3. Practice Session #3 - Friday, March 15, 2024, 20:00 CST (0100 UTC, next day)
4. Practice Session #4 - Tuesday March 26, 2024, 20:00 CST (0100 UTC, next day)
5. 2024 Total Solar Eclipse - Monday, April 8, 2024

Help and Questions:

Join Zoom conferences for questions and answers. Ongoing discussions and the Zoom information is announced on our Groups.io group listserv - https://groups.io/g/radio-jove.
Please join a practice session in February or March!

2024 Total Solar Eclipse - Monday, April 8, 2024

Radio JOVE is a worldwide community. We recognize that this solar eclipse happens over the Americas, but anyone is welcome to participate and observe with us.

Questions: Join ongoing discussions on our Groups.io group listserv: https://groups.io/g/radio-jove.

Instructions for Observations

A. General Information for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse, April 8, 2024

Begin Observations 15:00 UTC (10:00 CDT)
Maximum eclipse is 19:00 UTC (14:00 CDT)
End Observations 23:00 UTC (18:00 CDT)

We want to observe about 8 hours total to get data before, during and after the eclipse. We want observations within four hours of the average maximum eclipse (i.e. +/- 4 hours of 19:00 UTC on 8 April 2024)

Here is excellent timing information for any location:
https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2024-april-8

B. Radio Telescope Setup and Observation

1. Use Radio JOVE 1.1 receivers or Radio JOVE 2.0 SDRplay radios.
2. Use a single or a dual dipole antenna.
1. Dual dipole antennas - E-W orientation of the wires is recommended; remove the phasing cable so the antenna beam is pointed at the zenith.
2. Single dipole - an E-W orientation is recommended.
3. Verify the computer clock is set to UTC time (i.e., Time Zone UTC under adjust date/time settings)
4. Update your Metadata in your Radio-Skypipe or Radio-Sky Spectrograph software.
5. Calibrate your radio telescope if you have a calibrator^*. It is best to calibrate at the start and end of your observations.
   ^*Most people using the Radio JOVE 2.0 telescope do not have a calibrator; thus, it is okay if your data are not calibrated. Plans for a calibrator are coming soon. Those using the original RJ1.1 single frequency receiver with an RF2080 calibrator are highly encouraged to contribute their data.
6. If possible, observe from about 15:00 - 23:00 UTC for several days before and after the date of the eclipse. Make notes about solar activity, observing conditions, radio frequency interference (RFI), or local storms (**Please disconnect your antenna during any local thunderstorms**). Keep these data files for later comparison, if needed.

More to come on Data Analysis and Data Archiving

Thank you for your participation in NASA Citizen Science!