The EAA campaign under GLOBE collected over 80,000 temperature observations and 20,000 cloud cover data points, facilitating an in-depth evaluation of the eclipse's influence on local meteorological conditions. Comprehensive data validation confirmed the robustness of the citizen-science data. Specifically, air temperature measurements from GLOBE's collection closely aligned with National Weather Service station figures and GLOBE expert data, with correlation values of 0.78 and 0.73, respectively, and the majority of discrepancies ranging from 0 to 2°C. However, cloud data interpretation posed some difficulties, particularly for newer GLOBE contributors. When assessing cloud data, these newer participants more accurately identified low and high cloud types but had some challenges discerning specific cloud cover classifications.
Moreover, this research explored the changes in air temperature and cloud patterns during the eclipse. The findings highlighted a notable temperature depression, more pronounced in areas with greater eclipse coverage. Detailed analysis also showcased that regions with less cloud cover underwent more pronounced temperature reductions, corroborating multiple prior studies. The investigation observed temperature decreases of up to 5°C, contingent on cloud cover and geographical location. This study underscored the efficacy of citizen science in capturing meteorological variations during unique astronomical events. Such efforts offer valuable insights not just for events like eclipses but also for broader environmental studies. The upcoming 2024 solar eclipse presents yet another opportunity for more robust citizen science engagement, with the insights from this study and the GLOBE 2017 EAA campaign acting as a guiding framework.
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