PHOTOSENSITIVE PLANTS AND THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE ON August 21, 2017

Authors

Bob Powell, Department of Physics, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 3011Follow
James Hembree, Grounds Superintendent University of West Georgia, CarrolltonFollow
Ben Jenkins, Department of Physics, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 30118Follow

Abstract

Six photosensitive plants were carried to the path of totality near Lexington South Carolina: Oxalis Triangularis (purple shamrock), Maranta (green prayer plant), Phylanthus Urinaria (Chambe bitter plant), Minosa Microphylla (sensitive briar plant), Maranta (red prayer plant), and a green shamrock. The first six of these six were observed at three other locations: Carrollton, Georgia, 95% coverage; Young American Christian School in Conyers, Georgia, 97% coverage; and Barrow Elementary School in Athens, Georgia, 99% coverage. Data were recorded on GoPro Hero Sessions 5 cameras. Two of the six plants in the path of totality began to close during the eclipse. A short video of this change will be shown during the presentation showing the closing of leaves on the purple shamrock and the green prayer plant as the sunlight decreases in intensity. No effects were detected at the other three sites.

Recommended Citation

Powell, Bob; Hembree, James; and Jenkins, Ben (2018) "PHOTOSENSITIVE PLANTS AND THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE ON August 21, 2017," Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 76, No. 1, Article 27.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol76/iss1/27