This page features resources related to the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Looking for ideas and resources to help support your own eclipse programming? We’ve curated some popular favorites below.
We’ll be adding to this list! Are we missing something? Email totaleclipse@astc.org to let us know about it.
Eclipse-inspired Media
Eclipsing History: The Great North American Eclipse of 2024
This student-led podcast was created at Bowling Green State University. With participants from indigenous knowledge bearers, public and university scientists, and state agencies, the five episodes explore indigenous knowledge, the development of science in North America, and history of emotions. Support for the podcast is provided by Ohio Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Find it on YouTube and Spotify.
Eclipse: The Musical
COSI is celebrating the eclipse in a big way—with song and dance. Thanks to COSI’s Tony Auseon for sharing more about how the original short film came to be, including their partnership with Alphabet Rockers and other creative forces. “You don’t have to be a scientist to Be Curious!” Read ASTC’s blog post here or watch in on YouTube.
National Groups
NASA Solar System Exploration
This website is a real-time, living encyclopedia of the robotic exploration of our solar system. It provides reliable, accurate, up-to-date information about the planets, moons, asteroids, comets and everything else in our solar system. View the website.
Eclipse Across America
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) — the major organization of professional astronomers in North America — created the AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force (SETF) in 2017 which has been renewed through 2024 to help prepare citizens of, and visitors to, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to safely experience and enjoy the upcoming solar eclipses. They have compiled comprehensive information about eye safety, how-tos on taking photos or videos, and numerous resources for different audiences. View the website.
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Through its materials, resources, and programs, the ASP promotes public science interest, engagement, and literacy through the awe and wonder of astronomy and related fields. Check out their maps, astronomy club resources, and exclusive yardstick eclipse activity. View the website.
National Informal STEM Education Network
The National Informal STEM Education Network brings people together to engage in STEM, understand our world, and build a better future for everyone. They have curated numerous free, educational resources around the solar eclipse, including hands-on activities, citizen science opportunities, slides, posters, and educator guides. View the website.
NASA Museum & Informal Education Alliance
The Museum & Informal Education Alliance is an active community of practice that provides informal educators with access to NASA resources. Resources include discussions, articles, lesson plans, community events, professional learning opportunities, and more to help educators collaborate, learn about NASA subject matter, and engage in authentic STEM experiences. View the website.
Exploratorium
Located in San Francisco, California, the Exploratorium is a public learning laboratory exploring the world through science, art, and human perception. Explore their activities and bookmark the livestreams for the 2023 annular solar eclipse and the 2024 total solar eclipse. View the website.
National Science Teaching Association
A community of science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and STEM and its impact on student learning. They have an expansive collection of eclipse resources and teaching materials to use in the classroom. View the website.
STARnet: Science-Technology Activities Resources for Libraries
With funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Space Science Institute has launched an initiative—Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL)—to distribute five-million solar-viewing glasses to 10,000 libraries and provide information and activities designed to be sharable with the public. View the website.
My NASA Data Solar Eclipse Resources
The My NASA Data solar eclipse resources include lesson plans, mini-lessons (shorter activities for quick engagement), student-facing web-based interactives, and a longer “story map.” Engage learners with data collected during past solar eclipses, including maps and visualizations, and how data is used to predict future solar eclipses. Learners can analyze NASA mission data from the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO), the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), and the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) missions. View the website.
Preparing for the Eclipse
- American Astronomical Society (free for noncommercial use with credit, derivatives allowed)
- NASA Gallery (Media Usage Guidelines)
- Rice Space Institute (free for noncommercial and educational use with credit)
- Save the Date Postcards (NASA)
Participatory Projects
This NASA Citizen Science project is revisiting an eclipse study from almost 100 years ago that showed that animals and insects are affected by solar eclipses. Find participant resources for educators, individuals, scientists, and more. View the website.
The Continental America Telescopic Eclipse (CATE) 2024 experiment is placing about 40 identical telescope setups along the path of totality to be teamed by groups of community scientists. They are seeking state coordinators along the path of totality who will receive a $1,000 honorarium for their work from Fall 2023 through Fall 2024. View the website.
The DEB Initiative will produce dynamic coronal images of the 2024 eclipse by placing 40+ teams along the path of totality, building on the success of the 2017 Citizen CATE Experiment. DEB will broadcast near real time eclipse imagery as the eclipse is observed and evolves. View the website.
Also building on a project from 2017, the Eclipse Megamovie team is recruiting citizen scientist photographers to collect images of the solar corona during the total solar eclipse. They are actively recruiting those with technical expertise in databases, python coding, and machine learning. They also seek Spanish-speaking volunteers to assist in recruitment and communication efforts with Spanish-speaking communities in the path of totality in Texas. View the website.
Heliophysics is the study of our star and how it interacts with everything in our solar system. Part of the NASA Solar System website recommended above, this campaign challenges the public to participate in as many sun science activities as possible between October 2023 and December 2024. View the website and check out their assets and use guidelines.
General Eclipse FAQs
Looking for language to help talk to your audiences about the eclipse? Feel free to borrow from our suggestions below!
A total solar eclipse is a rare and fascinating astronomical event that occurs when the moon moves directly between Earth and the sun. This obscures the sun’s light and casts a shadow across certain regions on Earth.
In the path of totality, this turns day into night!
During an eclipse, the area on earth where the moon fully blocks the sun is known as the path of totality. In these regions, at the peak of the eclipse, day momentarily turns into night and observers can witness the sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, appearing as a glowing halo or “ring of fire” around the moon.
During the April 8, 2024 eclipse, the 115-mile-wide path of totality will arc across sections of thirteen (13) states in the continental United States: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
View a map showing the precise path of totality here: [link TK]. Note that the closer you are to the center line of the path, the longer totality will last.
If you are outside the path of totality—even by a little!—you will experience only a partial eclipse. This means that at least a sliver of the sun will remain visible at all times.
From start to finish, the entire eclipse will last about two and a half hours. However, peak darkness in the path of totality will last only about four minutes.
Although a solar eclipse will appear to temporarily dim or block the sun’s light, it’s not safe to look directly at the sun as this can cause permanent eye injury or blindness. This is especially true through magnifying viewers like binoculars or telescopes.
Technically, in the path of totality, there will be a very brief period when the sun’s face is fully blocked and it is safe to look at—but only for a few moments, and only with extreme caution! As the moon continues to shift its position, the sun will become visible again.
Always use safe viewing options, like eclipse glasses or pinhole projectors, to view the eclipse. Sunglasses are not enough!
In order to truly be safe, the filtering lenses in eclipse glasses must meet international safety standards. It is important to use caution when sourcing eclipse glasses, since some sold on third-party sites may be counterfeit, meaning they haven’t passed inspections and won’t protect your eyes. During the 2017 eclipse, such counterfeits were found on Amazon, eBay, and other online marketplaces.
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) has compiled a list of approved vendors, below:
A pinhole projector is one safe and simple way to view the solar eclipse—and it’s something you can make yourself!
Not to worry! There are still some simple ways to safely watch the sun’s progression during an eclipse. All you need is to find or make a small hole (or several!)—in some cardboard, a piece of paper, a colander or strainer, between the leaves on a tree, or even between your fingers.
As the sun shines through the hole(s), watch the shadows cast on the ground. (Hint: the farther your hole is from the ground, the larger your image will appear.)
As the moon crosses between Earth and the sun, you will be able to see its shadow grow! The sun’s round light will begin to slowly obscure until only a sliver—or, in the path of totality, nothing!—remains. As the moon crosses the sun, its light will begin to reemerge on the other side of your image.