Experience the Sights and Sounds of the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8th
The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8th is not just a visual spectacle—it is an immersive experience that engages all your senses. From the reactions of insects, animals, and nature to the sudden darkness, to the unique sounds that accompany the celestial event, this eclipse promises to be a multi-sensory phenomenon. As Kelsey Perrett, Communications Coordinator with the NASA-funded Eclipse Soundscapes Project, explains, “We want to show that eclipses can be studied in a multi-sensory manner, through sound and feeling and other forms of observation.”
What makes this eclipse particularly special is that over 30 million people in the United States already live within the path of totality—the track of the moon’s shadow as it sweeps across the planet. This is a significant increase compared to the 12 million people who experienced the last total solar eclipse in the U.S. back in 2017. To capitalize on this unique opportunity, scientists have launched a large-scale citizen science project aimed at collecting the sights and sounds of the eclipse as recorded by members of the public. The ultimate goal is to gain a better understanding of how an eclipse affects different ecosystems.
To gather data for this project, participants will use a low-cost recording device called AudioMoth, available for $97 from LabMaker. These devices will capture the sounds of animals, birds, and insects during the eclipse, with a particular focus on crickets. Researchers are interested in exploring whether nocturnal and diurnal animals behave differently or become more or less vocal during a solar eclipse. “The more audio data and observations we have, the better we can answer these questions,” says Perrett. “Contributions from participatory scientists will allow us to drill down into specific ecosystems and determine how the eclipse may have impacted each of them.”
The beauty of this project is that it is open to anyone, regardless of their technical background or financial resources. Both blind or low-vision individuals can participate as “Data Collectors” by using an AudioMoth device, or as “Observers” by documenting their multisensory observations and submitting them to the project website after the eclipse. This inclusive approach ensures that everyone can contribute to the scientific understanding of this extraordinary event.
The Eclipse Soundscapes Project draws inspiration from a similar study conducted during a total solar eclipse in 1932 over the northeast reaches of Canada and the U.S. During that study, 498 personal observations were collected from game wardens, naturalists, and members of the general public. The findings revealed that animal behavior and soundscapes undergo significant changes during a solar eclipse. MaryKay Severino, co-lead of the Eclipse Soundscapes Project, emphasizes, “Eclipses have always presented scientists with unique opportunities to learn about our solar system. The Eclipse Soundscapes Project is not only an opportunity for NASA to gather a large amount of scientific data, but also for our participants to learn about the eclipse in a multi-sensory manner.”
This project follows in the footsteps of similar experiments conducted during the 2017 eclipse, where scientists tracked the movement of bees in various locations across the Pacific Coast, Rocky Mountains, and Midwest of the U.S. Microphones placed in flowering bushes allowed researchers to acoustically monitor bees and discover that they stopped flying during totality not due to a drop in temperature, but because of the lower light levels.
Dr. Henry “Trae” Winter, co-lead of the Eclipse Soundscapes Project, expresses his excitement about this endeavor, stating, “The intention of this project is to make the total solar eclipse an engaging and enjoyable experience for everyone. We are excited to invite the public to participate in this opportunity to perform real and meaningful scientific research as equal participants.”
As the date of April 8th approaches, make sure to stay updated on all aspects of the total solar eclipse in North America. Clear skies and wide eyes await you as you immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this extraordinary celestial event.