However, both the Earth and the Sun have non-uniform shapes, as do all other celestial bodies in our solar system. For example, our planet is technically an irregularly shaped ellipsoid, while the Sun’s exact shape remains undefined at this time.
Although the Sun is closer to a perfect sphere than Earth, it still deviates from a completely round shape due to its rotation. This rotation causes the Sun to bulge outward at its equator, despite having nearly equal equatorial and polar diameters.
Understanding the Sun’s precise shape, and how it differs from a perfect sphere, would greatly enhance our knowledge of its interior and potentially advance theories of gravity. However, directly observing the Sun is challenging under normal circumstances.
Fortunately, a total solar eclipse is approaching. On April 8, the Moon will perfectly align with the Sun, creating a breathtaking celestial event visible across North America. The path of totality, where the eclipse will be fully experienced, stretches from Texas to Maine.
Residents in these areas have the opportunity to assist NASA in determining the Sun’s exact shape. To facilitate this collaboration, NASA has developed a special app called SunSketcher and encourages individuals living in the totality regions to utilize it (refer to the main photo for details).
Through the app, users can create a movie of the eclipse, specifically capturing the “tiny slivers of sunlight that pass through the valleys on the surface of the Moon.” These slivers, known as Baily’s beads among space enthusiasts, form diamond ring shapes as sunlight shines through the Moon’s rugged terrain during an eclipse.
Once the event concludes and NASA collects all the images, they will combine them with meticulously crafted maps of the Moon, generated over several years by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. This amalgamation will enable precise measurements of the Sun’s size and shape.
If you are interested in participating in this extensive collective effort in space exploration, you can sign up to receive updates at the provided link. Additionally, we recommend watching the video below to gain a better understanding of where the April eclipse will occur.
According to the Source autoevolution.com