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 revisits 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 asked for the public’s help. ES also used modern technology to continue to study how solar eclipses affect life on Earth!
The Eclipse Soundscapes Project continues its work by analyzing collected audio data 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
4/8/2025
We’ve completed the processing phase for the audio data collected during the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse and the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse!
Completing the processing also allowed us to narrow down the list of sites that will be included in the analysis for 2024. You can review the selected sites and explore an accompanying map here. To review the 2024 analysis sites click here. With this major milestone behind us, we’re excited to share that we now have some preliminary results — read more about preliminary results here.
Thank you for your continued patience and enthusiasm as we move further into the analysis phase. Your contributions are helping to uncover new insights into how wildlife responds to eclipses. Stay tuned for more updates—and keep reading below for the latest on our progress!
Upcoming Webinars:
April 29, 3pm EDT, The Ups and Downs of Data Gathering on Balloons
May 7, 2pm EDT,Preliminary Findings – How Eclipses Affect Nature as determined by Sound
For Past Webinar Recordings, visit the ES Learning Community page
Data Processing & Analysis Update
Updated 4/8/2025
Data Processing
The Eclipse Soundscapes (ES) team has finished processing audio data collected during the 2023 Annular and 2024 Total Solar Eclipse to determine which recordings are viable for analysis.
This process involved:
✅ 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.
Now that 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 4/8/2025
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.
Where to Donate my AudioMoth
Indiana Audubon’s Echoes of the Night Sky project
Donated AudioMoths would support Indiana Audubon’s Echoes of the Night Sky project, which uses acoustic monitoring to study nocturnal bird migration across the state. Indiana Audubon also employs autonomous recording units (ARUs) for secretive marsh bird monitoring, including species such as King Rail and Black Rail, as part of a statewide conservation program. In this case, the organization would deploy ARUs remotely at sites being monitored by volunteers to supplement the data being collected. Learn more about the Echoes of the Night Sky Project by clicking here.
Those interested in donating a device can email Whitney Yoerger directly at wyoerger@indianaaudubon.org to coordinate next steps.
DarkSky Missouri
Donated AudioMoths would support DarkSky Missouri. The DarkSky Missouri team is working with K-12 schools to use the AudioMoth in their “Sound” curriculum and as part of a larger effort to raise student awareness of nature at night. They are also using previous donations to capture and analyze migrating birds and bats. You can learn more about DarkSky Missouri by clicking here. Any questions, email Don Ficken at dficken@darkskymissouri.org
Donate by mailing your AudioMoth device to:
DarkSky Missouri
c/o Don Ficken
13024 Barrett Crossing CT
St. Louis, MO 63122-4900
“Being provided with an Audiomoth would allow our students to have a greater understanding of the nature around them. For example, the art teacher and I could collaborate to have students record nature sounds, then create art based on the sound patterns. I could also collaborate with the music teacher to compare and contrast natural sound with the sounds different instruments make.” ~ Erin Nichols, library media specialist at MOSAIC Elementary
Your Local Public Library
Many local public libraries have “A Library of Things,” which is a place where people can borrow tools, tech, and other useful items – just like books. Donating your AudioMoth device helps your community by giving others the chance to explore nature sounds, contribute to science, and learn about local wildlife through sound recording projects.
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.