Person standing outdoors taking notes on a mobile device

What are field notes? Why are they important?

Watch or Listen and Learn:

Lesson Video

Coming soon

Video Description coming soon

The video uses descriptive text, imagery, and closed captions. So you can listen, watch or read about the stages – or use all three together, whatever helps you learn best!

Discussion / Notes:

field notes discussion question coming soon

Return to Field Researcher Training – Part 1: Related Science

January 24, 2023

An increase in soundscape volume occurs at 142 seconds and 183 seconds

What is baseline data? Why is it important?

Watch or Listen and Learn:

Lesson Video

Coming soon

Video Description coming soon

The video uses descriptive text, imagery, and closed captions. So you can listen, watch or read about the stages – or use all three together, whatever helps you learn best!

Discussion / Notes:

baseline data discussion question coming soon

Return to Field Researcher Training – Part 1: Related Science

January 24, 2023

The moon’s black disk completely covers the sun. Now, in the absence of the sun’s full light, its massive outer corona is revealed. Uniquely visible during a full eclipse, grand flourishes of light called helmet streamers extend in all directions behind the moon’s black disk. At the edge of the moon, the helmet streamers are intensely bright, fading to wisps of ghostly white as they stretch across space, far from the moon, like flower petals.

Watch or Listen and Learn:

Lesson Video

Coming soon

During a total solar eclipse the moon will pass in front of the sun and block the sun completely during the maximum phase called totality. During totality the sun appears to be a smooth black disc with petals of light! This video will explain the stages of a total solar eclipse that lead up to the maximum phase and follow it.

The video uses descriptive text, imagery, and closed captions. So you can listen, watch or read about the stages – or use all three together, whatever helps you learn best!

Discussion / Notes:

How would you describe totality, also known as the maximum phase of a total solar eclipse?

Return to Field Researcher Training – Part 1: Related Science

January 24, 2023

The Moon appears as a smooth black disk that blocks the center of the Sun. As a result, the Sun appears to be a very bright ring of fire, glowing around the Moon’s circular edge.

Eclipse Maximum

What is Eclipse Maximum?

Watch or Listen and Learn:

Lesson Video

Coming soon

Video Description coming soon

The video uses descriptive text, imagery, and closed captions. So you can listen, watch or read about the stages – or use all three together, whatever helps you learn best!

Discussion / Notes:

eclipse maximum discussion question coming soon

Return to Field Researcher Training – Part 1: Related Science

January 24, 2023

AudioMoth outside in a plastic bag attached to a tree with zip ties

Free Kit Info

Free ES Data Collector Kit Info

Data Collector Home

The Eclipse Soundscapes (ES) Project provides ES Data Collector kits to some of its partners, such as NASA at My Library. It also opens applications for groups and individuals to apply to receive a free kit to collect data during one of the upcoming solar eclipses. To apply you must be 18 years old or older and on or near (within 70%+) of the Eclipse Path. You can use the ES Solar Eclipse Look-up tool to determine if you are near or on the eclipse path or maps in the Resources section to figure this out.

Free Kit Application

April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Free Kit Application Period: 10/23/2023-1/31/2024

We will contact you via email in early February to let you know if you will receive a free kit.

Click here to apply for a Free ES Data Collection Kit for the April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

Free Kit Availability

The number of free kits available is limited. Free kit disbursement will be based on need, location, and date of application. We hope that anyone who does not receive a free kit will have the ability to build their own. In an effort to support this as an option the Eclipse Soundscapes team has intentionally chosen an audio recorder that is the least expensive scientific grade audio recorder we could find in addition to readily available materials.

Kit Components

rectangular recording device with bump dots on its front

AudioMoth Device

rectangular plastic bag with zip top lock

Waterproof plastic bag

3 Zip Ties

Padded Return Envelope

3 AA batteries

64 GB Extreme U3 MicroSDXC card

1 AudioMoth Recorder
1 plastic bag with a zip top lock
3 long plastic zip ties
1 padded return envelope (postage included)
3 AA batteries
1 64 GB MicroSD Card (Already installed in AudioMoth in ES provided devices)

Return to Data Collector Page

December 16, 2022

The Sun appears as a glowing, white disk against a black background. On the left side of the Sun, a small, U-shaped area appears missing from the Sun’s perfect circle shape. This missing area is the Moon as it begins to slide in front of the Sun. The Moon appears completely black and smooth.

Annular Eclipse Phases

Watch or Listen and Learn:

During an annular solar eclipse the moon will pass in front of the sun and block its center during the maximum phase making the sun appear to be a glowing ring of fire! This video will explain the stages of an annular eclipse that lead up to the maximum phase and follow it.

The video uses descriptive text, imagery, and closed captions. So you can listen, watch or read about the stages – or use all three together, whatever helps you learn best!