Italian Scientists Prepare New Instrument for Solar Eclipse Test

Italian scientists are preparing to test a new instrument designed to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere during the total solar eclipse on August 12.

The Circular Slit Spectrometer (CISS) will be tested at Spain’s Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory. Unlike traditional instruments that scan the solar corona line by line, CISS uses a circular slit to capture a large section of the corona in a single image.

Scientists say the technology could make solar observations much faster and help researchers better understand solar activity that can affect communications networks, satellites and power grids on Earth.

If the test is successful, the instrument could eventually be used in a future space mission to study the solar corona.