A Quantitative Image-Processing Framework for Eclipse Shadow Band Analysis

Abstract

Eclipse shadow bands are transient intensity patterns that can appear on the ground near solar eclipse totality. This study presents a reusable image-processing framework for analyzing shadow-band video recordings collected with consumer-grade cameras. The framework quantifies band prominence, band orientation, band separation, band velocity and power spectral density from video recordings. Applied to two eclipse datasets, the method detected statistically significant shadow-band activity during eclipse windows that align with the scintillation theory for shadow bands. The findings also indicate that eclipse shadow bands can consist of simultaneous superimposed band modes with different orientations and velocities. This study demonstrates that consumer-grade cameras can support quantitative analysis of shadow bands and may support future observational and atmospheric studies