Impact of Annular Solar Eclipse of 15 January 2010 on the Atmospheric Boundary Layer Characteristics Over Thumba: A Case Study

On 15 January 2010, Thumba (8.5°N, 76.9°E) witnessed one of the longest known noontime annular solar eclipses (ASEs) spanning a period of about 7 min, centered at 1314 hours local time. In this research article, we present a case study on the behaviour of the atmospheric boundary layer characteristics and its vertical structure in response to this rare celestial event by making use of a suite of different in-situ instruments. During the peak period of the ASE, the incoming solar irradiance was dimmed by about 87% of its normal values, resulting in a significant reduction in the magnitudes of turbulent kinetic energy and surface-layer turbulent fluxes of heat and momentum. The intensity and vertical thickness of the sea/land breeze circulation cell over the study domain also weakened. However, the mixed layer heights determined from balloon-borne GPS Radiosonde did not show any appreciable changes. Analysis of vertical profiles of thermodynamic parameters in association with the wind direction during ASE indicated the formation of a double mixed layer between 700 and 1500 m and is attributed to horizontal advection of a different airmass at those altitudes.