Norma Lontz, a member of the Parkersburg Area Amateur Radio Klub, shows how today’s demonstration at Parkersburg South High School will be done during the eclipse. The science department at the school and the club will study how the eclipse will affect radio signals in a demonstration from 12:30-4 p.m. in front of the high school. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — Today’s solar eclipse and its effect on radio signals will be studied at Parkersburg South High School in a collaboration with the Parkersburg Amateur Radio Klub.

A ham radio station will be set up from 12:30-4 p.m. in front of the school.

The Parkersburg South science department has coordinated the demonstration with Conard Richardson, the radio club’s vice president of technology, and Alex Cantu, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and the senior Instructor of Parkersburg South Air Force Junior ROTC, who will conduct the demonstration. Cantu also is a recently licensed ham radio operator.

“We will have ham operators there to explain what we’re doing, in addition to helping anyone interested in becoming a ham,” Larry Dale, a member of the radio club, said.

The results taken during the eclipse will be reported to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration through NASA’s Citizen Science Program. NASA, which has encouraged ham radio operators for help in some science experiments, and the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation group are encouraging ham radio operators across North America to help in this rare opportunity.

The public is encouraged to attend, Dale said. The event will be held in the front of the school on the lawn, he said.

“It’s going to be the last one here in the United States for what, 20 years,” Dale said.

While visibility is impacted by the weather, the solar eclipse in this region will start shortly before noon and end around 4:30 p.m. The peak will be around 3:15 p.m. with about 95% totality, according to the National Solar Observatory.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon is between the sun and the earth. The sun’s corona is visible at totality.

After today’s activities, the radio club will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Western Sizzlin’ Steakhouse, U.S. 50 and W.Va. and 68. Information will be available about how to become a ham radio operator.