No, carbon dioxide (CO2) is not primarily responsible for dropping temperatures during a total solar eclipse. The main reason for the temperature drop during a total solar eclipse is the reduction in incoming solar radiation.
During a total solar eclipse, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking the Sun's light. This results in a temporary decrease in the amount of solar radiation reaching the surface of the Earth in the path of the eclipse. As a consequence, the temperature in the affected area can drop noticeably.
The drop in temperature during an eclipse is primarily due to the absence of direct sunlight rather than the influence of CO2 or any other specific atmospheric component. In fact, the effect of atmospheric composition, including greenhouse gases like CO2, is relatively minimal over such short time periods and localized events.
It's worth noting that other factors, such as changes in wind patterns and local atmospheric conditions, can also contribute to temperature variations during an eclipse. However, CO2 is not the primary driver of the temperature drop experienced during a total solar eclipse.