GLOBE Eclipse is a temporary tool in the
GLOBE Observer app (details about
downloading the app) that will help you document air temperature
and clouds during an eclipse. The tool is not visible in the app on a
regular basis, but is only opened up when a solar eclipse is happening
somewhere in the world. The Eclipse tool will prompt you to take air
temperature measurements using a meteorological thermometer, as well
as taking regular observations of sky conditions using the Clouds
tool, and an observation with the Land
Cover tool to characterize the vegetation near the data collection
site. For more details about equipment needed, how to take
observations, and frequently asked questions, visit the Taking
Observations page. Our Resource
Library includes additional activities, references and videos. In
addition, additional resources (including presentation slides) for
facilitators leading a program related to the eclipse can be found in
the eclipse section of the Toolkit
for Informal Educators. We also have a Media
Kit including videos, graphic assets, b-roll, and other resources
The Eclipse tool is not currently
visible in the app. You can see your previous observations via the My
Observations button in the app, and via the link at the top of this
page if you are logged in to your account. We also have a certificate
(see below) available for you to download and customize with your name.
Energy from the Sun warms our planet,
and changes in sunlight can also cause changes in temperature, clouds,
and wind. What happens when the Sun is blocked by the Moon during an
eclipse? How will the eclipse affect these solar-powered processes?
During an eclipse, citizen scientists
are able to:
Observe how the eclipse changes
atmospheric conditions near you by reporting on clouds and air temperature
Report surface conditions (photograph
and describe the landscape) that may have an impact on differences
in the atmospheric effects in varying locations
Contribute to a citizen science
database used by scientists and students to study the effects of
eclipses on the atmosphere
Provide comparison data even if they
are not in the path of totality
During a total solar eclipse, the only
safe time to view the Sun without protection is the few minutes of
totality, when the Sun is completely blocked by the Moon. Viewing any
part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a
telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the
front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.
When watching partial phases of a solar
eclipse directly with your eyes, you must look through safe solar
viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at
all times. Solar viewing glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular
sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Safe solar
viewers are thousands of times darker and must comply with the ISO
12312-2 international standard. Always inspect your eclipse
glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or
otherwise damaged, discard the device. Always supervise children using
solar viewers.
For more about eclipse safety, including
indirect ways to view the eclipse without eclipse glasses, please
visit the main NASA Eclipse Safety website.
Data On NOAA's Science on a Sphere
NOAA'sScience On a Sphere
program and the GLOBE Program are
collaborating to display your data at nearly 200 museums and science
institutions around the world that have Science On a Sphere. You may
have one close to you! We also have a mobile version that you can download. Science On
a Sphere is a spherical visualization display system that presents
amazing Earth data and visualizations. For the 2024 eclipse we will
use it to display the data you collect on the 2023 eclipse! You will
be able to see how temperature changes across the country on a 6 foot
sphere or even in your own phone, and learn more about how community
science can provide amazing data for science and education."
One Million Acts of Science For Citizen
Science Month:
The eclipse in April 2024 was part of Citizen Science
Month. Data collection with GLOBE Observer was part of One Million
Acts of Science during Citizen Science Month, which incorporates
hundreds of events and thousands of people collectively logging one
million acts of science in just one month!
Past Eclipses
During the total solar eclipse on 21
August 2017, with a path of totality spanning the United States, more
than 10,000 observers helped us collect over 20,000 cloud observations
with 60,000 photos and 80,000 air temperature measurements to answer
these questions and others using the GLOBE Observer app. (See
the 2017 version of this page.)
Clouds observations (left) and air temperature
measurements (right) from 21
August 2017, GLOBE Visualization System.
For the total solar eclipse on 02 July
2019, the path of totality went across Chile and Argentina. An area
with less overall population than the 2017 eclipse, we received 73
clouds observations and 1727 air temperature measurements on the day
of the eclipse.
Clouds observations (left) and air temperature
measurements (right) from 02
July 2019, GLOBE Visualization System.
For the total solar eclipse on 14
December 2020, the path of totality also went across Chile and
Argentina, a bit further south than the 2019 eclipse. We received 856
air temperature measurements from the area experiencing the eclipse,
as well as 232 clouds observations. These represent contributions from
nearly 100 unique observers. Read more in the summary news article about
the event.
Clouds observations (left) and air temperature
measurements (right) from 14
December 2020, GLOBE Visualization System.
The video below was created for the
eclipse in August 2017, but explains why NASA needs your help making
observations during any eclipse.
Student Research
In addition to research done by
professional scientists, because GLOBE Observer is part of the GLOBE Program, which is active
in thousands of schools across the world, citizen scientists are
strengthening science education by providing data for student research.
Here are a few examples of student
research reports related to eclipses:
You can see the locations of the next few eclipses on NASA's main eclipse page . For eclipses going further
into the future, check this full listing of upcoming solar eclipses (total, partial and
annular) . Stay tuned to this GLOBE Eclipse landing page
and other GLOBE communications channels to find out if the GLOBE
Eclipse tool will be opened up for future events!
Image of the Sun’s corona during the eclipse on 14 December 2020,
taken by Federico Gregorio in Junín de los Andes, Argentina.
