NASA’s Atmospheric Perturbations around the Eclipse Path (APEP) mission launched three rockets into the shadow of the October 14, 2023 solar eclipse. The mission’s goal was to study how a solar eclipse affects the upper atmosphere. 

The rockets were 60 feet tall and deployed four small scientific instruments. The instruments measured: 

• Density 
• Temperature 
• Changes in electric and magnetic fields 

The first rocket was launched about 35 minutes before the peak eclipse, one during the peak, and the last one about 35 minutes after. 

The ionosphere is located between 60-300 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. During an eclipse, the sudden drop in sunlight causes changes in the ionosphere, creating waves that ripple through this atmospheric layer. The APEP mission was expected to find changes in electrons and atoms, that lead to sudden temperature and density changes. 

The name APEP is also the name of the Egyptian deity of darkness. According to tradition, Apep would chase the sun god Ra, his arch nemesis — and when he caught up to him, an eclipse occurred.

Best pet supplies on discount on Amazon

https://31aefrfm6vsskrgfvofj5c7c2k.hop.clickbank.net/?cbpage=dtc