Eclipse Citizen Science in the Shadow's Path

The wonders of eclipses

Chapter 1

The mechanics of cosmic shadows

Chapter 2

Ancient myths and sky monsters

Chapter 3

Scientific breakthroughs born in darkness

Chapter 4

Modern eclipse chasing and animal behavior

YOUR GOAL

Master of The wonders of eclipses

Ch 4 · Modern eclipse chasing and animal behavior

Eclipse and Tailswon

BETA

diego Eclipse and Tailswon

diego Eclipse Animal Behavior

When the eclipse darkens day to night, / Seventy-five percent of creatures, / Think evening has arrived. / Birds find their roosts, crickets chirp in the fading light.

diego Citizen science in the shadow's path

The global community of umbraphiles

diego Eclipse chasers, or umbraphiles, travel the world to experience the fleeting moments of totality.

Fun Fact

Eclipse temperature drop: During a total solar eclipse, the local temperature can suddenly plunge by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Glossary

soundscape (noun)
A mixture of sounds that is characteristic of a particular environment. During the 2024 solar eclipse, NASA's Eclipse Soundscapes project recorded animal sounds as darkness fell.

Gossip

Which animal reaction to an eclipse is the weirdest?

Quiz

During a solar eclipse, why do bees suddenly return to their hives?

Gossip

Would you participate in a citizen science project?

Quiz

What international safety standard must eclipse glasses meet to be safe for direct viewing?

Quiz

What medical condition is caused by looking directly at the Sun without protection?

Quiz

What temperature change is typically felt during a total solar eclipse?

Quiz

What do spiders often do when a total solar eclipse begins?

Quiz

Which layer of Earth's atmosphere is studied using citizen science during an eclipse?

Quiz

What is the scientific term for a person who actively chases eclipses?

Quiz

What indirect viewing method uses a small card hole to project the Sun's image?