The Eclipse Soundscapes Project: Exploring the Effects of Solar Eclipses on Plant and Animal Life
When darkness sweeps across the landscape during a total solar eclipse, unusual things start happening. Birds stop singing, crickets start chirping, and bees return to their hives, all fooled by the false dusk. These atypical animal behaviors have been observed for centuries, but the effects of an eclipse on plant and animal life are still not fully understood. To shed light on this phenomenon, the NASA-funded Eclipse Soundscapes Project will embark on a mission to collect the sights and sounds of a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. This project aims to engage interested members of the public in order to better understand how an eclipse affects different ecosystems.
Traditionally, eclipses have been considered visual events, something that can only be seen. However, the Eclipse Soundscapes Project seeks to challenge this notion by studying eclipses in a multi-sensory manner, incorporating sound, feeling, and other forms of observation. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun, blocking its light from reaching parts of the planet. In areas where the Sun’s light is completely blocked, known as the path of totality, it appears as if dusk has fallen, temperatures drop, and stars become visible. These changes can trick animals into altering their usual daytime behaviors. With over 30 million people in North America set to experience a total solar eclipse in 2024, this presents a unique opportunity for a large-scale citizen science project.
The Eclipse Soundscapes Project draws inspiration from a study conducted by American scientist William M. Wheeler following a total solar eclipse in 1932. Wheeler’s study captured nearly 500 observations from the public. The Eclipse Soundscapes Project aims to replicate and expand upon this study using modern tools to gain a deeper understanding of animal and insect behavior. Through multisensory observations, such as audio recordings and written accounts, the project seeks to answer questions like how 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 Kelsey Perrett, Communications Coordinator with the Eclipse Soundscapes Project. “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 Eclipse Soundscapes Project invites people from all backgrounds and abilities to become involved at various levels. Whether on the path of totality or not, individuals can participate as “Data Collectors” by using an AudioMoth device, a low-cost audio recording device equipped with a micro-SD card, to capture the sounds of an eclipse. Alternatively, participants can contribute as “Observers” by documenting their multisensory observations and submitting them to the project website after the eclipse. Even those with an internet connection can participate as an “Apprentice” by learning about eclipses or as a “Data Analyst” to help analyze the audio data post-eclipse. Upon completion of a role in the Eclipse Soundscapes Project, participants will receive a downloadable certificate.
“When it comes down to it, answering our science questions about how eclipses impact life on Earth depends entirely on the data that people volunteer to contribute,” emphasizes Perrett. “Our participants, including our project partners and facilitators, allow us to span the entire eclipse path and collect way more data than would be possible for just one small team.”
By engaging the public in this groundbreaking research, the Eclipse Soundscapes Project aims to unravel the mysteries surrounding the effects of solar eclipses on plant and animal life. As the 2024 total solar eclipse approaches, scientists and citizen scientists alike eagerly anticipate the valuable insights that will be gained from this collaborative endeavor.