Predicting energy during a solar eclipse

NASA defines a solar eclipse as the point in time where the moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth [6]. On average a total solar eclipse occurs every 18 months somewhere on the Earth. This is important to note because phenomena such as total solar eclipses cannot be seen everywhere on the Earth at one time. Most of the time when a total solar eclipse occurs, only part of the Earth can see it and some do not even know it occurred by just looking at the sky. One of the main issues with total solar eclipses, especially during the day, is how they affect solar energy reaching the Earth. The purpose of this thesis project was to create a model to predict how much light is reaching the Earth as the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth. Being able to predict this amount of energy is very important especially as it relates to solar power being used on the Earth. The current state of this project is in the early stages with a working prototype that I am able to get semi-accurate data from. There are still many ideas that I intend on implementing so that the model is more accurate and consistent. Dr. Millis and I would like to finish this project entirely this summer with the goal of pushing this project into schools for use in labs and other activities.