The GLOBE Program is an international science and education program that engages students, educators, and volunteers of all ages in studying the Earth system. Learn more on the GLOBE website.

To join GLOBE as a citizen scientist, download the GLOBE Observer app and register with an active email address. Alternatively, you can register on the GLOBE website. Select citizen science and fill in the form. The password and user name you set up on the website can also be used to log in to the GLOBE Observer app. View a video tutorial about creating a citizen science account on the GLOBE website.

While the GLOBE Observer app will only work in GLOBE countries, you may submit cloud observations through NASA S’COOL.

The Eclipse tool is geographically bounded to appear only in the areas experiencing a particular eclipse. In the case of the total solar eclipse on 08 April 2024, that means most of North and Central America, plus some areas east in the Atlantic. You can see a detailed map of the eclipse, including the percentages of obscuration for a particular location, in this map from the National Solar Observatory. If you need the precise area the Eclipse tool will appear for GLOBE Observer users, you can download this GeoJSON file showing the shape drawn for the purpose.

Since the Eclipse is geographically bounded in where it appears (see question above), the first thing to check is that you are properly sharing your location with the GLOBE Observer app. Where to check will vary somewhat by device, but should be found in the settings section, likely in a list of apps with their permitted access options. We need your location not only to check whether the Eclipse tool should be displayed, but also to display the time of maximum eclipse, and to create the data collection site for Clouds and Land Cover observations. If you have further issues with the tool displaying properly, please contact us.

Download the GLOBE Observer app to your device. Follow the prompts to create an account with an active email address.

All of the training needed is included within in the app. If possible, is a good idea to go through the training for the GLOBE Clouds and GLOBE Land Cover tools before the day of the eclipse, as well as read through the tips about collecting air temperature data contained in the introduction for the GLOBE Eclipse tool. You can also find more details on the Taking Observations pages for Clouds, Land Cover and Eclipse. 

Delete the app and download it again while on a strong cellular or wifi network.

If you are inside the path of totality on 08 April 2024, remove your solar filter ONLY when the Moon completely covers the Sun’s bright face. As soon as the Sun begins to reappear, replace your solar filter to look at the remaining partial phases. Outside the path of totality, it is NEVER safe to look directly at the Sun without using a solar filter that complies with the transmittance requirements of the ISO 12312-2 international standard (see NASA’s tips for eye safety during an eclipse). Alternatively, you may use an indirect viewing method, like a pinhole viewer.

GLOBE invites everyone to share their observations of temperature and clouds during the eclipses. The more data available from more locations, the clearer the picture we can build of how the eclipse affected weather patterns.

Clouds observations can be made any time! We actually recommend that you make a few observations before the day of the eclipse, so that you know how the process works in the app, and because your cloud observing skills will get better with practice. The Eclipse tool will be available about two weeks before a given eclipse in practice mode, allowing you to learn the interface for taking air temperature measurements and make sure you are familiar with using your thermometer (data collected during this time will not be sent to the GLOBE database). On the day of the eclipse, the tool will enter "live" mode, allowing you to submit your air temperature measurements to GLOBE.

There are a variety of thermometers to use for air temperature measurements. The simplest is a liquid-filled thermometer, but inexpensive digital thermometers are also available. Ideally, you should look for a thermometer designed for measuring weather conditions. You do not want to use a medical thermometer, but those advertised as instant-read for cooking may work, especially if they have a digital display. There are also a number of temperature data loggers and external sensors that plug into smartphones, at a variety of price-points. If you have a hand-held weather meter or a mounted weather station at your site, those can also be used for data collection.

GLOBE has lists of suppliers, separated by region (for example, North America and Latin America and Caribbean) that offer a variety of instruments that can be used for measurements.  Note that the GLOBE Program does not endorse any particular supplier, and will identify in a similar manner all companies believed to offer instruments required for GLOBE. You can also read more discussion of the merits of different thermometer types as one of the activity pages on the 2017 NASA eclipse page. Do not use temperature data from a weather app as it may be getting measurements from a location far from you.

You do need an Internet connection to download the app and receive your initial login information via email. After that, all data collection can be done offline. However, don’t forget to send in your observations when you get back to an area with signal or a wifi connection!`

The data collection times are just reminders. If you miss one of the notifications, simply take another measurement as soon as you can. The app will record the exact time you entered the measurement, and build the temperature graph as you go.

The app is by far the easiest way to participate if you are not already GLOBE trained. If you are interested in completing online eTraining, you can also access data entry via the GLOBE website. Contact us if you have more questions about how to go about doing that.

For the most accurate measurements, make your measurements in the shade.

If a shaded area (or ventilated instrument box) is not available, even holding the thermometer out at arm’s length in your shadow will help. You can check the calibration of your thermometer using an ice water bath, instructions available here. It is also a good idea to familiarize yourself ahead of time with how to use your specific thermometer, and how quickly it reacts to changes in temperature. One way to test this is to take the thermometer between areas with vastly different temperatures, for example from an air conditioned building out into the summer heat, and see how long it takes to stabilize at the new temperature point. A faster reaction time will be better for measuring short-term changes during the eclipse.

Your temperature measurements will be sent to GLOBE automatically. You will need to submit your cloud and land cover observations when you have a good cellular or wifi connection. On the day of the eclipse, networks may be overloaded, so you might need to wait a day to submit your data. Your cloud and land cover observations will be stored in the GLOBE Observer app until you are ready to submit them. To submit your data, click on the graph in the lower left corner of the GLOBE Observer home screen. Then, select the data you want to submit and click submit. View a video tutorial about sending data.

All of the data will be available, to NASA and to the public, on the GLOBE Visualization System. We have also pulled curated, analysis-ready data sets on the eclipse data page.

Yes! The GLOBE program is ongoing, and the GLOBE Observer app is available any time. We encourage you to continue to observe clouds and land cover through the GLOBE Observer app after the eclipses. You can also check out the other tools in the GLOBE Observer app: Mosquito Habitat Mapper, and Trees.