Eclipse Soundscapes Project
Project Introduction
The Eclipse Soundscapes Project is a NASA Citizen Science project funded by NASA Science Activation that is studying how eclipses affect life on Earth during the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse and the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse. Eclipse Soundscapes will revisit an eclipse study from almost 100 years ago that showed that animals and insects are affected by solar eclipses! Like this study from 100 years ago, ES will ask for the public’s help. ES will also use modern technology to continue to study how solar eclipses affect life on Earth!
The Eclipse Soundscapes Project continues its work by analyzing collected audio to uncover how wildlife responds to eclipses. Using BirdNET and citizen science contributions, the ES team identifies shifts in animal and insect behavior. Processed data is shared on open-access platforms like Zenodo, allowing researchers, educators, and the public to explore these unique recordings. This ongoing research deepens our understanding of eclipses’ impact on life and informs future soundscape studies.
Project Updates
2/28/2025
We are wrapping up the processing phase for audio data collected during the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse and the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse. With this step nearly complete, we are now moving into the early stages of analysis, using the viable sites to begin examining the audio for patterns and changes that may have occurred during the eclipses.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing exactly which Eclipse Soundscapes sites were included in this initial analysis phase. Thank you for your patience and enthusiasm as we work through this data!
Your contributions are helping to build an exciting new understanding of how wildlife responds to eclipses. Stay tuned for more updates—and keep reading below for the latest details on our progress!
Upcoming Webinars:
On February 28, 2025 at 3pm CST Dr. Brent Pease will discuss how darkness during the day affected wildlife. More information on the ES Learning Community page
For Past Webinar Recordings, visit the ES Learning Community page
Data Processing & Analysis Update
Updated 2/28/2025
Data Processing
The Eclipse Soundscapes (ES) team is processing audio data collected during the 2023 Annular and 2024 Total Solar Eclipse to determine which recordings are viable for analysis.
This process involves:
✅ Verifying time accuracy – ensuring timestamps were set by AudioMoth or manually verified using ES Data Collector notes.
✅ Checking data integrity – identifying and filtering out corrupted or incomplete audio files.
✅ Assessing recording quality – confirming the presence of useful sound data.
Why is this necessary?
It is normal for some recordings to be unusable due to device malfunctions, microSD card failures, or corrupted audio files. However, having many collection sites is critical, as it ensures we still have a strong dataset for analysis even if some recordings cannot be used.
Once processing is complete, viable sites will be analyzed for changes in soundscapes during the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse.
🔗 Explore the map of all 2024 recorded sites: View the map here (link to map page).
Focus on BirdNET for Initial Analysis
After reviewing multiple analysis tools, we have prioritized BirdNET because its output provides clear and tangible insights into vocalizing species. While CityNET is still on the table for future analysis, we are currently focusing on birds and also exploring options for insect-specific analysis.
Key Research Questions
With BirdNET, we’re investigating some fascinating questions about how wildlife reacts to the sudden darkness of a solar eclipse:
🔹 How does vocalization activity change during an eclipse?
🔹 Which species are vocalizing—or going silent—during totality?
🔹 When do these behavioral changes begin before totality, and how long do they last?
Because of the precise data we have, we can explore detailed timing of behavioral responses—an exciting opportunity that will set this research apart from previous studies!
Data Sharing Update
Updated 2/28/2025
The Eclipse Soundscapes (ES) audio data from the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse and the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse is being uploaded to Zenodo. This free and open-source online database provides long-term public access to the recordings.
Each uploaded dataset will include:
- Raw unprocessed Audio recordings from the specific site.
- NASA eclipse data for that location, including:
- Eclipse start, maximum, and end times.
- Eclipse coverage (the percentage of the Sun blocked by the Moon at maximum eclipse).
Data Upload Process
Uploading is a time-intensive process and will continue throughout 2025. Only sites that meet the following criteria will be included:
- Accurate time and date were set by AudioMoth or manually recorded in ES Data Collector notes and then manually set by the ES team.
- No issues were detected with the audio files, recording device, or microSD card. (It is normal for technical issues to occur during data collection, and this does not mean the Data Collector set up the device incorrectly.)
Data Upload Location
Explore the uploaded data:
Click to access the Zenodo – Eclipse Soundscapes Community
What's Next?
Be an Active member of our Learning Community!
Eclipse Soundscapes (ES) collected a wealth of sound data and observations during the October 14, 2023, annular solar eclipse and the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse. This data will help us explore how these eclipses affected ecosystems across the U.S.
Our ES Learning Community is your gateway to staying engaged in this exciting process! Through webinars, updates, and shared resources, you’ll have opportunities to:
- Learn about and participate in NASA volunteer science.
- Stay updated on the ES audio data analysis process.
- Discover new insights and findings as our analysis progresses.
Sign up for updates and join our upcoming webinars to stay involved and be part of the journey!
Where and how many people have participated in Eclipse Soundscapes in 2024?
(Updated 10/25/2024)
- 4,065 Eclipse Soundscapes (ES) Apprentices participated!
- 4,351 ES Observers submitted their observations from April 8-15!
- 1,310 ES Data Collectors: ES Data Collectors had to sign up and register devices to get an ES ID#. Registration could happen after the eclipse but was required before data submission. To submit data, participants used their ES ID# to submit location info online and mail a MicroSD card. Out of 1,310 participants, 457 sites provided all required info (ES ID#, location, and MicroSD card).
ES APPRENTICES 4,065 Completed Role in 2024
ES OBSERVERS4,351 Observations Submitted!
ES OBSERVERSES DATA COLLECTORS1,310 Signed-Up751 Devices Registered457 Data Sites
ES DATA COLLECTORSAudioMoth Recording Device
Eclipse Soundscapes Data Collectors used AudioMoth recording devices to capture audio, which they then submitted by mailing their MicroSD cards to the ES team. With the audio data collection phase now complete, we encourage Data Collectors to continue their scientific exploration using their AudioMoths. For guidance on custom settings and other helpful tips, visit the Open Acoustic Devices Website. Click here to explore the Open Acoustic Devices site.
Stay Updated!
The Eclipse Soundscapes Project continues to add information, eclipse-related activities and information, and more. Click here to sign up to receive updates about the project as they happen!
More NASA Opportunities!
NASA Solver
Interested in helping NASA solve tough problems? Become a NASA Solver! Visit the NASA Solver website to find opportunities to participate in prizes, challenges, crowdsourcing and activities that develop solutions for problems related to NASA’s mission!
NASA Citizen Science
Interested in more NASA citizen science opportunities? Click here to check out all of the current NASA Citizen Science Projects.