What is a solar eclipse?
During a solar eclipse the the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth and blocks all or part of the Sun.
This is different from a lunar eclipse, when the Earth blocks most of the sunlight that normally reaches the Moon. In a solar eclipse, the Sun gets darker; in a lunar eclipse, the Moon gets darker. Visit our lunar eclipse page to learn more.
Watch this NASA video to learn more about the different roles of the Moon in lunar and solar eclipses.
During a total solar eclipse, the Moon lines up perfectly to fully block the Sun; in a partial solar eclipse, the Moon only blocks part of the Sun; and during an annular eclipse, alignment is perfect but the Moon is too far away from the Earth to completely obscure the Sun.
More about solar eclipses: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eclipses
Upcoming eclipses viewable in North America
https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/
Two major solar eclipses are coming to North America!
Saturday, October 14, 2023, an annular ("ring of fire") eclipse will be experienced in the US from Oregon to Texas; all of North America will have at least a partial solar eclipse.
Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be seen in the US from Texas to Maine in the process; all of North America will have at least a partial solar eclipse.
October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse (Saturday)
- Where Can You See It?
You can see a partial eclipse, where the Moon covers only a part of the sun, across much of North America. The path of totality will cross Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas. - When Can You See It?
Times for viewing the eclipse vary depending on your location. These interactive maps will show you times for anywhere in the world.- Time and Date maps: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2023-october-14
- National Eclipse maps: https://nationaleclipse.com/maps_2023.html
- Great American Eclipse maps: https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/october-14-202
- NASA maps: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2023/
- Eclipse Map: https://eclipse2024.org/simvideos/2023vidmap/index.html
- How Can You See It?
You never want to look directly at the sun without appropriate protection. That could severely hurt your eyes. However, there are numerous safe ways to view an eclipse. Please see safe viewing techniques below.
April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse (Monday)
Where Can You See It?
You can see a partial eclipse, where the Moon covers only a part of the sun, anywhere in North America (see "Who can see it?"). To see a total eclipse, where the moon fully covers the sun for a short few minutes, you must be in the path of totality. In 2024 the path of totality is a relatively thin ribbon, around 70 miles wide, that will cross the U.S. from Southwest to Northeast. States on the path of totality include: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
- When Can You See It Safely??
Times for viewing the eclipse vary depending on your location. These interactive maps will show you times for anywhere in the world.- Time and Date maps: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2024-april-8
- Great American Eclipse maps: https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/april-8-2024
- National Eclipse maps: https://nationaleclipse.com/maps.html
- NASA maps: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/
- Eclipse Maps: https://eclipse2024.org/eclipse-simulator/
- How Can You See It Safely?
You never want to look directly at the sun without appropriate protection except during totality. That could severely hurt your eyes. However, there are numerous safe ways to view an eclipse. Please see safe viewing techniques below.
Hands-on Activities During Your Event
- NISE Network activities:
Big Sun, Small Moon activity (included in Explore Science: Earth & Space 2017 toolkit) - Solar Eclipse activity (included in Explore Science: Earth & Space 2017 toolkit)
- Bear's Shadow activity (included in Explore Science: Earth & Space 2017 toolkit)
- Observe the Sun (included in Explore Science: Earth & Space 2019 toolkit)
- More NISE Network astronomy activities https://www.nisenet.org/astronomy
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More activities:
- How to make a pinhole projectors in NSTA Solar Science Insert by Dennis Schatz and Andrew Fraknoi (2017 eclipse)
- More activities from NSTA Solar Science: Exploring Sunspots, Seasons, Eclipses, and More book by Dennis Schatz and Andrew Fraknoi
- NASA eclipse resources https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eclipses/home/
- NASA activities from 2017 https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/activities
At-Home Activities and Apps
- DIY Sun Science App
DIY Sun Science includes 15 easy-to-use hands-on activities to learn about the Sun and its important relationship with Earth. Learn how to cook in a solar oven, measure the size of the Sun, or explore shadows in model Moon craters! Each activity includes step-by-step instructions that have been tested by educators, kids, and families. Activity materials are easily available and inexpensive. PDF versions of hands-on activities are also available for download in both English and Spanish.
Safety
You never want to look directly at the sun without appropriate protection. That could severely hurt your eyes. However, there are numerous safe ways to view an eclipse.
An eclipse is a rare and striking phenomenon you won't want to miss, but you must carefully follow safety procedures. It is vital that you protect your eyes at all times. The only safe way to look directly at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed Sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are NOT safe for looking at the Sun.
Safe Viewing Techniques
- NASA eclipse viewing techniques and safety.
- American Astronomical Society (AAS) Eye safety
- Exploratorium series of videos on safe viewing and eclipse science
- Safety information from NASA
Affordable Eclipse Glasses
- Advice from NASA's Museum and Informal Education Alliance
Information about free solar viewers and considerations for purchasing glasses- https://informal.jpl.nasa.gov/museum/content/solar-viewing-glasses (log-in required)
- Libraries: STARnet Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) will be providing eclipse glasses AND training to libraries across the United States; learn more:
https://www.starnetlibraries.org/about/our-projects/solar-eclipse-activities-libraries-seal/ - Be sure to purchase ISO certified eclipse glasses and hand-held solar viewers that meet safety standards.
- Rainbow Symphony
- American Paper Optics
- Thousand Oaks Optical
- EclipseGlasses.com (educator discount)
- Vendor list from AAS
- How to Tell If Your Eclipse Glasses or Handheld Solar Viewers Are Safe
https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/iso-certification - Can I use my existing eclipse glasses? How to make sure your viewers are in good condition
- Look at a bright light (not the Sun) and make sure there aren't any holes.
- If the filters are torn, scratched, or punctured, discard them.
- If the filters are coming loose from their cardboard or plastic frames, discard them.
shadow using a colander
Shadows, Pinhole Viewers, and Projections
There are many ways that you can safely enjoy a partial or total solar eclipse
- How to make a pinhole projectors in NSTA Solar Science Insert by Dennis Schatz and Andrew Fraknoi (2017 eclipse)
- More activities from NSTA Solar Science: Exploring Sunspots, Seasons, Eclipses, and More book by Dennis Schatz and Andrew Fraknoi
- Pinhole and Optical Projections https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/projection
- NISE Network Pin Hole viewers instructions Eclipse pinhole postcard (2017)
- Exploratorium video Projection with binoculars
Community Event Planning and Preparation
- NISE Network Online Workshops for 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipse Event Planning
- Kick-Start Your Planning for 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipse Events (Recorded October 25, 2022)
- More to come in 2023! Stay tuned to our upcoming events page for more info.
- AAS Community Planning for the 2023 and 2024 Solar eclipses
- American Astronomical Society (AAS) Solar Eclipse Task Force
April 8-9, 2022 Solar Eclipse Planning Virtual Workshop - American Astronomical Society (AAS) Solar Eclipse Task Force - October 2022 Rochester planning resources
https://eclipse.aas.org/workshops/oct2022 - American Astronomical Society (AAS) Solar Eclipse planning resources
https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/downloads - American Astronomical Society (AAS) Solar Eclipse Task Force video recordings and links from their workshop planning for the 2023 and 20234 events
https://eclipse.aas.org/workshops/2021 - Community Event planning white paper from Dr. Kate Russo (2015)
https://eclipse.aas.org/sites/eclipse.aas.org/files/Russo-White-Paper-Community-Eclipse-Planning.pdf
- American Astronomical Society (AAS) Solar Eclipse Task Force
- Archive of Planning resources from the 2017 total solar eclipse
- Pages 13-16 of NISE Network Explore Science: Earth & Space 2017 Event Planning and Promotion Guide
- NISE Net Online Workshop: Tips for Planning Your August 21, 2017 Solar Eclipse Event (Recorded January 27, 2017)
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NISE Net Online Workshop: Streaming the Eclipse: How to Utilize Online Live Streams at Your Eclipse Event (Recorded June 20, 2017)
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NISE Net Online Workshop: Join the Eclipse Party! What are You Doing to Celebrate the August 21st, 2017 Total Solar Eclipse? (Recorded Tuesday, June 27, 2017)
Handouts
- NASA Eclipse Fact Sheet (evergreen without dates)
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/2689/eclipse-fact-sheet/ - AAS Postcard artwork 4-by-6-inch - Front (PDF) and Back (PDF)
more details: https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/downloads - AAS Business Card artwork - Side 1 - 2023 (PDF) and Side 2 -2024 (PDF)
more details https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/downloads
Finding STEM Experts
We encourage you to seek out local experts for your public events. Many astronomy enthusiasts plan to travel to the path of totality, but many will be staying closer to home, so please check out all of these different resources to find experts near you:
- Finding and Collaborating with STEM Experts: see the "Space and Earth Sciences" section of the Working with STEM Experts: A Guide for Educators in Museums and Other Informal Learning Settings
- Finding astronomy volunteers - summary and link to recorded online workshop
- Solar System Ambassadors - NASA trained volunteers located throughout the US
- Night Sky Network of astronomy clubs
- ASP NASA Partner Eclipse Ambassadors
- AAS Astronomy Ambassadors
Live Streaming of the Solar Eclipse
The Exploratorium will be live streaming the solar eclipses in 2023 and 2024 in multiple formats including on mobile devices, including:
- Exploratorium live stream
https://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse - Exploratorium live stream solar eclipse app
https://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/apps/total-solar-eclipse-app
Citizen Science Projects
A solar eclipse presents many opportunities for amateur astronomers and lifelong learners to get in on the fun of doing science.
- Eclipse Soundscapes citizen science project (coming in 2023)
https://eclipsesoundscapes.org - GLOBE Observer app (coming in 2023)
How does the solar eclipse affect the atmosphere on Earth? nation-wide science experiment by collecting cloud and temperature data
https://observer.globe.gov/do-globe-observer/eclipse - More citizen science projects
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https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eclipses/resources/citizen-science/
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https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/citizen-science (archived from 2017 total solar eclipse)
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Naturalist - Life Responds - What happens to your pets and other animals during the solar eclipse?
https://www.calacademy.org/citizen-science/solar-eclipse-2017 (archived from 2017 total solar eclipse)
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Multimedia - Animations and Visualizations
- Lunar eclipse animations from Rice University (log-in to NASA Museum & Informal Education Alliance required)
https://informal.jpl.nasa.gov/museum/content/new-annular-eclipse-and-artemis-animations-released - NASA Solar Eclipse 2017 visualizations
- NASA Eyes solar eclipse 2017 3D simulation
Promotional Images
Images and videos of solar eclipses and people experiencing them compiled by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) that you may use for educational and promotional purposes.
- AAS Image gallery https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/images-videos
- NISE Network SmugMug gallery 2017 at OMSI
- NISE Network SmugMug gallery 2017 at Science Museum of Minnesota
Slides
Look for an updated editable slideshow for 2023 and 2024
- NISE Network PowerPoint slide presentation (2017 version):
Preparing for a Partial Eclipse: An Event to Remember slides (with presenter notes)
Videos
For public audiences:
- Exploratorium series of videos on safe viewing and eclipse science
- Fiske Planetarium videos
- Watch this NASA video to learn more about the different roles of the Moon in lunar and solar eclipses.
- GBH Why Isn’t There an Eclipse Every Month?
For educators:
Planetarium Shows
Training
Please also see online workshop recordings, videos, slides, and community event planning resources listed on this page.
- NASA Partner Eclipse Ambassadors: amateur astronomers and undergraduate students are invited to apply
- STARnet Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) training for libraries
- NASA Updates for Non-NASA Funded Eclipse Enthusiasts (quarterly newsletter)
Books
- AAS compilation of solar eclipse books: https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/books-articles
- Solar Science: Exploring Sunspots, Seasons, Eclipses, and More
by: Dennis Schatz and Andrew Fraknoi, NSTA - When The Sun Goes Dark
by: Andrew Fraknoi and Dennis Schatz, NSTA
Tactile Books
NISE Network strives to share STEM public engagement resources designed to for all audiences, including blind and visually impaired participants. For more information about how NISE Network products are designed with an inclusive audiences approach using Universal Design principles, visit https://www.nisenet.org/Audiences.
- Getting a Feel for Eclipses
available from NASA SSERVI Tactile and Braille Books https://sservi.nasa.gov/books/
(copies were included in the 2017 NISE Network Explore Science: Earth & Space 2017 toolkit)