Who leads the Eclipse Recording Company team. What services does Eclipse Recording Company offer. How many years of experience does Jim Stafford have in audio engineering. Which prestigious events has Jim Budka mixed audio for. What is Zan Llaneza’s background in audio engineering.
The Eclipse Recording Company: A Legacy of Audio Excellence
Founded in 2000 by Jim Stafford, Eclipse Recording Company has its roots dating back to 1973 when Stafford purchased his first multi-track recorder. With over four decades of experience, Jim Stafford has honed his skills to become the driving force behind Eclipse Recording Studios. The company has evolved through various formats, from analog to digital tape and finally to ProTools, positioning itself as a versatile and adaptable recording facility.
Jim Stafford: The Visionary Behind Eclipse
Jim Stafford brings 40 years of engineering experience to the table, having developed a deep understanding of audio and video technologies in production environments. His passion for media engineering and production has been the cornerstone of Eclipse’s success. Stafford’s expertise spans virtually every style and genre of music, ensuring that Eclipse can cater to a wide range of artistic needs.
The Dream Team: Eclipse’s Audio Engineering Experts
Eclipse Recording Company boasts a team of highly skilled professionals, each bringing unique expertise to the studio:
- Jim Stafford – Audio/Forensics Engineer and Owner
- Zan Llaneza – Audio Engineer, Producer, and Studio Musician
- Jim Budka – Sports and Entertainment Audio Mixer
Zan Llaneza: A Diverse Audio Background
Zan Llaneza’s journey in audio engineering began at a young age, culminating in a degree in Recording Arts from Full Sail University in 2007. His experience spans multiple genres, from hard rock to country, hip hop, and reggae. Llaneza’s proficiency across various Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) including ProTools, Logic, and Cubase, makes him a versatile asset to the Eclipse team. His expertise extends beyond the studio, encompassing live sound mixing and audio production for video.
Jim Budka: Emmy-Winning Audio Excellence
Jim Budka, an eight-time Emmy award-winning television Sports and Entertainment audio mixer, brings unparalleled experience to Eclipse Studios. His illustrious career includes mixing audio for some of the most prestigious events in sports and entertainment, such as:
- The Olympics
- Super Bowls
- Final Fours
- World Series
- The Masters
- College football bowl games
- NASCAR races
- Political conventions
Budka’s 15-year tenure at Turner Broadcasting as the Sports Audio Specialist and lead remote mixer for Turner Sports and Turner Studios further solidifies his status as an industry veteran.
Comprehensive Audio Services at Eclipse Recording Company
Eclipse Recording Company offers a wide array of audio services to meet diverse client needs. These include:
- Music recording and production
- Audio post-production for video
- Live sound mixing
- Forensic audio analysis
- Voice-over recording
- Podcast production
- Audio restoration and remastering
The company’s state-of-the-art facilities and experienced team ensure that clients receive professional-grade products and experiences, regardless of the project’s scope or complexity.
The Production Staff: Beyond Audio Engineering
Eclipse Recording Company’s capabilities extend beyond audio engineering, thanks to a talented production staff:
- Joe Price – Project Manager and Videographer
- Melody Stewart – Marketing Manager
- CW Hooper – Photographer and “Artrapanewer”
- Edd Wagner – Web Designer and Developer
Joe Price: Visual Expertise
Joe Price brings a wealth of visual arts knowledge to Eclipse, having majored in Media Arts and Animation at the Art Institute International of Minneapolis and studied Fine Arts at the University of Minnesota. His background complements the audio services, allowing Eclipse to offer comprehensive multimedia solutions.
Melody Stewart: Marketing Savvy with a Musical Touch
Melody Stewart, Jim Stafford’s daughter, wears multiple hats at Eclipse. Not only does she manage marketing efforts, but she’s also an accomplished musician in her own right. Stewart began her music career with guitar at age 12 and later took piano lessons. Her musical background provides valuable insight into the needs of Eclipse’s clientele.
Eclipse Recording Company’s Technological Edge
Eclipse Recording Company has kept pace with technological advancements in the audio industry. The studio’s evolution from analog to digital formats demonstrates its commitment to providing cutting-edge services. With ProTools as its primary Digital Audio Workstation, Eclipse ensures that clients have access to industry-standard tools and techniques.
Versatility in Digital Audio Workstations
While ProTools is the studio’s primary platform, the team’s proficiency extends to other popular DAWs such as Logic and Cubase. This versatility allows Eclipse to cater to clients with specific workflow preferences or project requirements.
The Eclipse Advantage: Why Choose Eclipse Recording Company?
Eclipse Recording Company stands out in the competitive audio industry for several reasons:
- Decades of combined experience across various audio disciplines
- A team of award-winning professionals
- State-of-the-art equipment and facilities
- Versatility in handling different music genres and audio projects
- Comprehensive services extending beyond audio to include video and web development
- A client-focused approach ensuring personalized attention to each project
The company’s ability to handle projects from conception to completion, coupled with its diverse skill set, makes it a one-stop solution for all audio and multimedia needs.
Eclipse Recording Company’s Impact on the Industry
Eclipse Recording Company has made significant contributions to the audio industry, particularly in the St. Augustine area. The studio has become a hub for local and visiting artists, providing high-quality recording services and fostering musical creativity. The company’s involvement in various prestigious projects, thanks to team members like Jim Budka, has also elevated its status in the broader audio engineering community.
Educational Initiatives and Community Involvement
Beyond its commercial services, Eclipse Recording Company has shown a commitment to education and community engagement. The studio has been known to offer internships and learning opportunities for aspiring audio engineers, helping to nurture the next generation of talent in the industry.
The Future of Eclipse Recording Company
As the audio industry continues to evolve, Eclipse Recording Company is well-positioned to adapt and grow. The studio’s history of embracing technological advancements suggests that it will continue to invest in cutting-edge equipment and techniques. The diverse skill set of its team members also allows Eclipse to explore new areas of audio and multimedia production, ensuring its relevance in an ever-changing market.
Expanding Services and Reach
Looking ahead, Eclipse Recording Company may explore opportunities to expand its services further. This could include venturing into emerging audio technologies such as immersive sound for virtual reality applications or expanding its video production capabilities to offer more comprehensive multimedia packages.
The studio’s established reputation and experienced team provide a solid foundation for future growth and innovation in the audio engineering and production industry.
Client Success Stories at Eclipse Recording Company
Over the years, Eclipse Recording Company has worked with a diverse array of clients, from local musicians to national acts. While specific client names aren’t mentioned in the provided information, the studio’s versatility in handling various genres and project types suggests a rich tapestry of success stories.
Melody Stewart’s Recording Experience
One notable example is Melody Stewart’s recording of original piano compositions with vocals. As both a staff member and a recording artist, Stewart’s experience highlights the studio’s ability to cater to different client needs. Her trust in Jim Stafford’s engineering skills underscores the quality of service provided at Eclipse.
Collaborative Projects and High-Profile Events
Jim Budka’s involvement in high-profile sporting events and political conventions brings a wealth of experience to Eclipse. This background likely translates into enhanced capabilities for handling complex live recording and mixing projects, benefiting clients who require expertise in these areas.
The Role of Technology in Eclipse’s Success
Eclipse Recording Company’s journey from analog to digital formats mirrors the evolution of the audio industry itself. This adaptability has been crucial to the studio’s longevity and success. The use of industry-standard software like ProTools, combined with the team’s proficiency in multiple DAWs, ensures that Eclipse can meet the technical requirements of any project.
Balancing Tradition and Innovation
While embracing modern technology, Eclipse also values the experience gained from traditional recording methods. This balanced approach allows the studio to offer the best of both worlds – the warmth and character associated with analog recording, combined with the precision and flexibility of digital systems.
Eclipse Recording Company’s Multidisciplinary Approach
One of Eclipse’s unique strengths is its multidisciplinary team. The combination of audio engineering expertise with skills in video production, web design, and even sculpture (in the case of CW Hooper) allows the company to offer comprehensive creative solutions. This holistic approach can be particularly valuable for clients looking for end-to-end production services.
Synergy Between Audio and Visual Arts
The presence of visual arts professionals like Joe Price and CW Hooper on the team opens up possibilities for integrated audio-visual projects. This synergy between audio and visual elements can result in more compelling and cohesive final products for clients.
Eclipse Recording Company’s Commitment to Quality
Throughout its history, Eclipse Recording Company has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to quality. This is evident in the caliber of professionals on its team, the state-of-the-art equipment used, and the diverse portfolio of projects handled.
Continuous Learning and Improvement
The audio industry is constantly evolving, and Eclipse’s success over the years suggests a culture of continuous learning and improvement. This commitment to staying current with industry trends and technologies ensures that clients always receive cutting-edge services.
The Personal Touch at Eclipse Recording Company
Despite its professional accolades and high-tech equipment, Eclipse Recording Company seems to maintain a personal touch in its operations. The inclusion of family members like Melody Stewart in the business and the diverse backgrounds of team members contribute to a warm, creative atmosphere that can be particularly appealing to artists and clients.
Nurturing Creativity and Talent
The studio’s approach appears to focus not just on technical excellence, but also on nurturing creativity and talent. This is exemplified in Jim Stafford’s encouragement of Melody’s musical pursuits and the studio’s apparent openness to working with artists across various stages of their careers.
Eclipse Recording Company in the Broader Audio Landscape
While based in St. Augustine, Florida, Eclipse Recording Company’s impact likely extends beyond its immediate geographical area. The high-profile experience of team members like Jim Budka suggests that the studio has connections and influence in the broader audio industry.
Bridging Local and National Markets
Eclipse’s ability to cater to both local artists and potentially national acts positions it as a bridge between local and national markets. This versatility can be a significant advantage in attracting a diverse client base and staying resilient in changing market conditions.
The Artistic Vision of Eclipse Recording Company
Beyond its technical capabilities, Eclipse Recording Company appears to have a strong artistic vision. This is evident in the diverse backgrounds of its team members, from musicians to visual artists. This artistic sensibility, combined with technical expertise, can be a powerful draw for creative clients looking for a studio that understands their artistic goals.
Fostering Creative Collaborations
The multidisciplinary nature of Eclipse’s team suggests a potential for fostering unique creative collaborations. Clients might find opportunities to expand their projects beyond pure audio, incorporating elements of visual art or multimedia, thanks to the diverse skill set available at the studio.
Eclipse Recording Company | Eclipse Recording Team & Production Staff
Eclipse Recording Company | Eclipse Recording Team & Production Staff
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About Us
Our Team is led by Jim Stafford with 40 years of engineering experience.
For over 40 years, Jim has developed the skills and experience in engineering to become the leading force behind Eclipse Recording Studios www.eclipserecording.com. He has taken his passion for media engineering and production, where he’s garnered the deep understanding of how audio and video technologies function in a production environment.
The Eclipse Team!
The Engineers
Jim Stafford
Audio/Forensics Engineer/Owner
BA – George Mason University
Zan Llaneza
Audio Engineer/producer/studio musician
Grad – Full Sail University
Degree in Recording Arts
Jim Budka
Sports and Entertainment Audio Mixer
Mixing such prestige events such as the Olympics, Superbowls, & Masters
Jim Stafford
Eclipse was founded in 2000 by Jim Stafford but its origins date back to 1973.
It was then that he purchased his first multi-track recorder, a Teac 3340s and his love for recording music began.
Since then, through a variety of formats: analog, digital tape and finally ProTools, Jim has recorded virtually every style and genre of music.
Together with his team of trained engineers, Eclipse can provide exactly what you need for a professional product and experience.
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Zan Llaneza
After studying music from a very young age, Zan received his degree in Recording Arts from Full Sail University in 2007.
He briefly worked in a local Orlando studio before relocating to St. Thomas Virgin Islands where he was lead engineer for studio A at ISW studios.
There he was able to work with artists from a wide variety of genres from hard rock to country, hip hop and reggae.
From there he came to St. Augustine in 2010 where he began working with Eclipse.
Zan is proficient across multiple DAW’s including ProTools, Logic, and Cubase.
In addition to being in the studio, Zan is also very experienced in live sound mixing and audio production for video.
Jim Budka
Eight time Emmy award winning television Sports and Entertainment audio mixer Jim Budka joins Eclipse Studios in St.Augustine.
After an extensive career in the television broadcast audio business, he has relocated from Atlanta to St. Augustine and has joined the live audio production crew.
Jims background includes mixing such prestige events such as the Olympics, Superbowls, Final Fours, World Series, Masters, College football bowl games, NASCAR races, Political conventions.
Jim just finished a 15 year position at Turner Broadcasting .
He was the Sports Audio Specialist and lead remote mixer for Turner Sports and Turner Studios.
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The Production Staff
Joe Price
Project Manager/Videographer
Melody Stewart
Marketing Manager
Joe Price
Joe comes to Eclipse from Minneapolis where he majored in Media Arts and Animation at the Art Institute International of Minneapolis and studied Fine Arts at the University of Minnesota.
Melody Stewart
Melody a.k.a. Jim’s daughter a.k.a. Best Chef of St. Augustine (2 years in a row)! She came to record today, using a gift certificate she got from her birthday!
Melody Stewart records original piano compositions with vocals.
She began her music career with guitar at age 12, then took piano lessons with Marilyn Boren, (Jim Stafford’s Mom) at age 15!
Melody Stewart at Eclipse Recording Company She is going to name her CD “Story of My life” Melody says, Jim/Dad is a very talented engineer, and I trust his judgement, if he says I can learn Rhythm, then I can!
Melody was Voted The Best Chef of St. Augustine, 2 years in a row by The St. Augustine Record.
CW Hooper
Photographer/Artrapanewer
Edd Wagner
Web Designer/Developer
CW Hooper
I like to think of myself as an Artrapanewer !!
I was raised by my mother Margaret Hooper, her maiden name is Rockwell, she believed we were distant relative to Norman Rockwell.
I have created two sculptures for Author Stephen King, Author Lisa Rogak asked for permission to use one of my photos of Mr. King with two of my sculptures in the bio.
The bio is called HAUNTED HEART “THE LIFE AND TIMES OF STEPHEN KING “I sculpt in wood, stone and clay.
I teach sculpting also. I am currently writing a series of eight children’s books, I have created a toy prototype of the main character.
Over the years I fell in love with photography, now I shoot more photography than I do anything.
Edd Wagner
Edd has over 18 years experience in Web Development and Design.
Working for major corporations including:
Vstream Inc. where he was a Streaming Audio Video Technician.
Siemens Power Generation Division and U.S.A.F., as an Instructional Designer and Developer.
In early 2002 he embarked his career to working for Lifeware TEK as the Mobile Marketing and Social Media Expert.
Developing mobile phone and social media apps.
Joining Eclipse Recording Company in 2007 as Web Developer and Designer with his experience in Web guru Social Media and Marketing.
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Divisions of Eclipse Recording
Studio Recording
Audio Mastering
Live Events
Eclipse Forensics
Design / Duplications
Video Services
Web Design / Development
Conversions
Stafford Virginia eclipse viewing information for the Great North American Eclipse of April 8, 2024
38.4220694N, 77.4083162W
A rough animation of what the 2024 eclipse will look like from Stafford.
(In this view, the top of the frame is always “up”, toward the highest point in the sky.
)
What will the 2024 eclipse look like from Stafford?
Map of
Stafford and vicinity
Current Weather Forecast for
Stafford
CURRENT CLOUD COVER:
LOCAL | NATIONAL
Visit our “Weather” links above for other great cloud cover forecast maps!
Xavier Jubier’s Interactive Map for
Stafford
All eclipse circumstances have been calculated for each city using that city’s latitude and longitude as sourced from public records. Eclipse2024.org has taken all reasonable measures to ensure the accuracy of the latitude and longitude shown; however, the user of any eclipse information on the Eclipse2024.org site should verify that these coordinates are correct for the intended viewing location. You can do this using web tools such as Google, latlong.
net, lat-long.com or gps-coordinates.net. Please let us know if you believe the coordinates need to be updated for any city in our database.
Select the Time Zone to use for the times below: AST (GMT-4)EDT (GMT-4)CDT (GMT-5)MDT (GMT-6)MST (GMT-7)PDT (GMT-7)AKDT (GMT-8)HST (GMT-10)GMT (GMT)
The eclipse in Stafford will be partial (with magnitude 88%), and we’ve calculated the local circumstances (using the lat/long noted above and ΔT=69s), as follows:
| City | Lat | Long | C1 (EDT (GMT-4)) | V | Mid-eclipse (EDT (GMT-4)) | Magnitude | Alt | Az | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stafford | 38. | 77.4083162W | 14:03:15 | 04:30 | 15:19:42 | 88% | 48° | 232° |
4220694NView the instructions for the values shown in the table
Location identifier and latitude/longitude
The times in the table have been calculated based on this exact location. Times can shift by several seconds as you get several miles/km away from the location shown.
Start time of the partial phase (“C1”)
All times are given in local time or Universal time [UT] (also known as GMT or Zulu time). You can convert the entire table by clicking on the time zone you want to see it shown in!
Where to look for that first “bite” of partial eclipse (“V”)
We’ve called this value “V”, because that’s what astronomers call it.
If you imagine the Sun’s disk as a clock face, this is the hour hand value of where to look on that “clock” to see that very first little bite that the Moon is taking! (Remember, you must use eclipse glasses to look at the Sun at this time!)
Who will be the first to see that bite and shout “First Contact!”?
Time of Mid-eclipse
This is when the maximum amount of the Sun’s disk is covered. Also given in UT and you can convert it if you like.
Eclipse Magnitude
The amount of the Sun’s disk that is covered at the time of mid-eclipse. (Measured as a percentage of the Sun’s diameter, not area!)
Altitude and azimuth of the Sun at the time of mid-eclipse
This will let you know where the Sun will be in the sky during mid-eclipse, so you can check to make sure that trees, buildings or mountains won’t be in your way. (You can also go outside to your planned viewing location on the day before the eclipse at eclipse time and check it out yourself.
The Sun’s location in the sky at that time won’t change enough in one day for you to notice the difference.)
Altitude is given in degrees. The horizon is at 0°, and straight up is 90°. So 45° would be exactly halfway up, 30° would be 1/3 of the way up, and 60° would be 2/3 of the way up. Anything in between is, well, in between!
Azimuth is given as an angle so you can tell exactly where the Sun will be, and here are some references: 90° is due east, 180° is due south, and 270° is due west. So, if you see 200°, that’s a bit less than 1/3 of the way from due south to due west. 135° would be straight southeast.
Here are some helpful links to let you research the partial eclipse as it will be seen from Stafford:
The Stafford community page
A page of information about the plans that Stafford officials are putting in place for eclipse day!
Also includes links to weather and an Interactive Google Map.
Opens the amazing, full-featured eclipse2024.
org eclipse simulator, to show you exactly what the eclipse will look like!
(If this is your first visit, you’ll want to open the Eclipse2024.org Eclipse Simulator Instruction page first!)
The 2023 annular eclipse city page for Stafford
Eclipse2024.org is pleased to offer you a complete set of information for the annular eclipse of October 14, 2023!
Visit our 2023 annular eclipse city page for Stafford to learn more about that eclipse.
Solar eclipse on request (Apollo – Soyuz)
Solar eclipse on request (Apollo – Soyuz)
“Tekhnika-molodezhi” 1978 №5 pp.21-23
SOLAR ECLIPSE ON ORDER
You won’t find any mention of solar eclipses of 1975 in any astronomical yearbook of the world. This year they just didn’t. Nevertheless, modern astronautics has made its own adjustments. During the joint flight of the Soyuz and Apollo spacecraft on July 19For 75 years, cosmonauts Alexei Leonov and Valery Kubasov, together with astronauts Thomas Stafford, Vance Brand and Donald Slayton, conducted one of the main Soviet-American experiments “Artificial solar eclipse”.
This is the first solar eclipse created by man.
The experiment and its methodology were proposed by Soviet scientists Gennady Nikolsky and Anatoly Simonov. About how the experiment was prepared and carried out and what results were obtained, one of its authors, A. Simonov, tells.
| For if the Moon can block the Sun from the Earth Light and raise your head in heaven between him and the Earth, His dark disk, having exposed its hot rays, Is it not possible to admit that another is capable of the same Body… Lucretius Kar |
The Soviet-American ASTP program aroused great interest in the scientific world: there was an opportunity to conduct scientific research during the joint flight of two spacecraft. The organizers of the program received many interesting proposals from scientists from around the world.
The Soviet-American commission selected five joint experiments, one of which was called “Artificial Solar Eclipse”.
The experiment was as follows: the Apollo spacecraft created an artificial solar eclipse, and photographs of the outer corona and the “atmosphere” around the Apollo during the eclipse were made from the Soyuz spacecraft. But this was not the end of the experiment. It was primarily a test of new research methods: the possibility of modeling solar eclipses in orbital flight and the mutual influence of two objects of study – the solar corona and the own atmosphere of the shading spacecraft.
Why study a solar eclipse?
The corona is the outermost, extremely rarefied layers of the solar atmosphere and practically consists of a fully ionized hydrogen plasma – protons and electrons with a temperature of 1-2 million degrees. Content of other elements
does not exceed 10%. In fact, the solar corona is a continuous stream of matter emanating from the Sun, or, as it is called, the solar wind, extending far beyond the orbit of the Earth.
High-energy particles and electromagnetic radiation are formed in the corona. In the visible region of the spectrum, it reveals itself as a faint glow, which is sunlight scattered by the electrons of the coronal plasma (protons scatter light weaker).
Due to the high temperature, the corona’s own radiation falls in the invisible region of the spectrum, mainly in the short-wavelength region.
Its brightness is a million times weaker than the solar disk, and it can be seen from Earth only during a total solar eclipse, when the brightness of the sky decreases by tens of thousands of times. It was this happy circumstance that made it possible to discover the solar corona in ancient times. However, its physical nature began to be elucidated only in recent decades.
Why else artificial?
A total solar eclipse is extremely rare. In the same geographical location, it is observed on average once every 200-300 years and most often within one or two minutes.
For the entire history of instrumental observations of total solar eclipses, the total time of these observations does not exceed two hours. However, even in such a short time, the most important discoveries were made in both astrophysics and geophysics. True, now the corona can also be studied outside the eclipse, for example, in the shortwave range from rockets and satellites. Nevertheless, for a number of reasons, it is impossible to obtain complete and reliable information only by such methods. The only way to observe the solar corona in the visible region of the spectrum without eclipses is to create an artificial solar eclipse. This principle underlies the so-called non-eclipsing coronagraphs, where an artificial eclipse is realized in the device itself: the image of the solar disk is covered with an opaque screen. On Earth, due to the high brightness of the atmospheric background, it is possible to observe the corona using coronographs only at the very edge of the solar disk.
Relatively recently (in 1964) more advanced non-eclipsing coronographs appeared, but even these instruments do not greatly expand the possibilities of research.
Even on the Skylab space station, using such a coronagraph, it was possible to observe the corona only within 1 ° from the edge of the solar disk. The disadvantage of all coronographs is the presence of chromatic aberration of the lens, since they are made single-lens to reduce light scattering. Therefore, the eclipse is obtained only in a narrow spectral range.
Two frames show two aura faces. During a solar eclipse, exceptionally favorable conditions for observations are created: the invisible becomes visible. Fantastic picture at the top – view of the “Apollo” when the jet engines of the control system are activated. Exhaust jets of engines become visible due to the scattering of sunlight on the combustion products of the fuel. Below, the relatively calm “atmosphere” surrounding the Apollo. The image shows tracks formed by the movement of large “comet” particles. By the length of the tracks, one can judge the speed of the particles, and by the brightness, one can judge their sizes. A clear narrow strip bordering the artificial Moon is light diffracted at the edges of the Apollo. The outer solar corona in both frames looks like a weak diffuse glow. There are autographs between the shots of the participants in the “Artificial Solar Eclipse” experiment. The photo is published for the first time. |
The bright dot in the middle of the left side of the frame is the planet Mercury.Therefore, the coronograph can only be used for examining the innermost parts of the crown.
In the “Artificial solar eclipse” experiment, it is possible to create conditions for studying the outer corona (at large angular distances from the solar disk). Firstly, there are no illuminations from the Earth and diffraction at the edges of the artificial Moon that interfere with observations. And secondly, since the Soyuz is in the shadow of the Apollo, the own atmosphere of our ship does not affect the observations in any way. Under these conditions, scientists use simpler and more compact equipment, which allows observations in the entire spectral range, as if it were a natural solar eclipse.
Spacecraft’s own atmosphere
Another object of study in the “Artificial Solar Eclipse” experiment is the spacecraft’s own atmosphere, or, if you like, the aura. What is this aura and why does it attract the attention of scientists?
From the surface of a spacecraft in the vacuum of space, there is a continuous evaporation of various materials. First of all, the gases adsorbed on it, water and other volatile substances leave it. Then macroscopic formations come off – “dust particles” – both old-timers from the Earth, and newly born as a result of the destruction of coatings. All materials are subject to the process of destruction. Micrometeorite particles, cosmic and solar radiation exacerbate this process.
The products of “wear” do not immediately leave the vicinity of the ship – at first, they form a kind of atmosphere around it. The atmosphere is continuously replenished by the inevitable leaks of cabin gas through the walls and seals, but jet engine exhaust products make a particularly large contribution to it.
During orbital flight, the gas and dust atmosphere created by the spacecraft itself is affected by the oncoming flow of the Earth’s residual atmosphere, solar light pressure and solar wind. As a result, the spacecraft becomes like a comet. And this is not a figurative comparison! Although the spacecraft is surrounded by an extremely rarefied atmosphere, it still differs from the undisturbed space environment. And, as you know, the density of the comet’s atmosphere is also negligible. Thus, observations are carried out, as it were, “from inside” the comet.
“Atmospheric” materials change the physical characteristics of the environment and can therefore backfire on vital spacecraft systems and even distort scientific information. Since its main volume is obtained using optical means, it is very important to study the optical characteristics of the environment that change under the influence of the spacecraft’s own atmosphere (distortion of the light signal, errors in instrument readings due to “dust” that has settled on them).
So far, we have been talking only about real perturbations of the characteristics of the environment. It is in this sense that the concept of “own atmosphere” was used. In reality, a spacecraft, like any space body, changes the entire set of physical parameters of the environment: plasma, gravitational, electromagnetic, and radiation fields. As a result, a local violation of “ecology” occurs, and physical processes appear that are not characteristic of the unperturbed space environment. Therefore, the transition region between the spacecraft and the undisturbed medium can be considered as a kind of physical aura, a special case of which is the ship’s own atmosphere.
In the “Artificial solar eclipse” experiment, for the first time, it was possible to see the face of the aura – a halo of light around one of the spacecraft.
What could be easier than making eclipses?
The idea of the experiment is extremely simple. But for its implementation in orbital flight conditions, a high accuracy of piloting technique and coordination of the actions of the crews of both ships, as well as the precise work of specialists from the two continents, were required.
Before undocking, the Soyuz-Apollo spacecraft were oriented with their longitudinal axis to the Sun and stabilized in this position. At noon, according to Universal Time, the ships were separated, keeping the positions of their axes in space. The relative velocity was approximately 1 m/s along the Sun-ships line. Making translational movement along the orbit, the devices gradually diverged along this line. At the same time, the Apollo covered the Sun with itself, creating conditions for an artificial solar eclipse for observers on board the Soyuz. The discrepancy continued up to 220 m. At this distance, for observers on the Soyuz spacecraft, the angular dimensions of the artificial Moon (Apollo) were only twice as large as the dimensions of the solar disk. Then the movement of ships along the line Sun – Apollo – Soyuz was reversed for re-docking.
To exclude the Earth from illuminating the working window of the Soyuz and the part of the Apollo visible from it (the artificial Moon must be dark), the experiment was carried out in the orbit section from sunrise to the spacecraft crossing the terminator plane (the plane passing through the border of day and night on Earth).
It is still night on Earth at this time, and for the ships the Sun has already risen. The scheme and time sequence of the events of the experiment are shown in the figure.
During an artificial solar eclipse, photographs of the solar corona and the “atmosphere” around the Apollo spacecraft were taken with an automatic camera through the porthole of the Soyuz spacecraft. At the same time, the Apollo crew was filming the Soyuz.
At the time when cosmonauts and astronauts, flying over Tierra del Fuego and the Strait of Magellan, were creating a solar eclipse, thousands of specialists were following their work on Earth: from two mission control centers, from command and measurement complexes, from several ships and aircraft dispersed throughout the globe. At the same time, a group of astrophysicists was conducting synchronous observations of the Sun on Elbrus.
Main results
Solar eclipse conditions persisted for at least seven minutes. More than a hundred frames were exposed during the experiment.
An image of the outer solar corona was obtained in the form of a weak diffuse glow. Almost all frames show three astronomical objects: the planet Mercury and the stars γ Gemini and α Small Dog. The bright narrow ring bordering the Apollo is clearly visible – this is the diffraction of sunlight on its edge. All frames show the Apollo’s own atmosphere. Exhaust jets can be traced up to 50 m.
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Thus, in just a few minutes of flight time, unique data on the outer solar corona and the “atmosphere” around the spacecraft were obtained. Photometrically calibrated photographs are not just pictures. They are a display, a kind of photo display of a huge amount of quantitative data and functional dependencies.
The confirmation of the effectiveness of a new method for studying the solar corona and the atmosphere around the spacecraft can be considered a fundamentally important result of the “Artificial Solar Eclipse” experiment.
METEONOVA – Prognosis of pollen allergy and pollen in Stafford
Pollen allergy, hay fever: is it possible to predict?
Pollen allergy, or pollinosis, is a widespread disease associated with the reaction of the human immune system to the pollen of certain plant species, and usually manifests itself in the form of allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, allergic cough or even asthma.
Manifestations of pollinosis are strictly confined to the flowering of a certain type of plant, to which a person has an allergic reaction. Such exacerbations occur at about the same time every year, but due to the influence of weather conditions, it is possible to shift the start and end dates, as well as the intensity of flowering for periods of 7 to 14 days due to changes in climatic and weather factors. Therefore, for allergy sufferers, a prompt assessment of the flowering of allergenic plants, as well as a forecast of the intensity of pollination (periods of maximum pollen release) is very important.
What weather factors influence the concentration of allergens in the air? We list the main ones:
- The sum of effective temperatures. This criterion characterizes the phase of plant development and, as it were, the indication of its biological clock. The development of any plant is connected with the amount of heat it receives from the sun. At certain phases, various phenological events occur: greening, flowering, fruit ripening, wilting.
The only important for people suffering from pollinosis is the flowering phase, and the phase of maximum dusting of allergenic plants associated with it. - Rain. Heavy rain can completely wash pollen out of the air and clear the atmosphere for about a day. Light rain reduces the concentration of pollen in the air.
- Wind. Almost all allergenic plants are pollinated by wind. When the weather is calm, the concentration of pollen in the atmosphere decreases, when the wind increases, it increases.
- The nature of the weather. Blooms tend to increase in clear weather and decrease in cloudy weather.
- Air temperature. With a strong drop in temperature in the morning, the flowering of plants is inhibited.
The only important for people suffering from pollinosis is the flowering phase, and the phase of maximum dusting of allergenic plants associated with it.The forecast of these factors allows us to assess the phase of development of allergen plants and determine the degree of pollen impact on the body of people suffering from hay fever.
Restrictions
The method used in the forecast is estimated.
We do not measure the concentration of pollen in the atmosphere. The phases of flowering and dusting were obtained solely on the basis of the forecast of the sum of effective temperatures. Phase is approximate, actual concentrations depend on many factors:
- Number of flowering plants to which there is an allergic reaction
- Number and duration of frosts and low temperatures in spring
- Amount and frequency of precipitation in the pre-flowering period
- Location of plants: the southern slopes of hills and ravines receive more heat, and flowering occurs earlier there, on the northern slopes, respectively, later and lasts longer
- Accuracy of the weather model for calculating the sum of effective temperatures, as well as other meteorological parameters that affect the growth and development of plants
Warning
The proposed forecast is only a rough estimate of the concentration of pollen in the atmosphere and the possible impact of weather conditions on the intensity of pollination of allergenic plants.
