Citizen Science Project

The Eclipse Soundscapes: Citizen Science Project (ES:CSP) will introduce accessible opportunities for citizen scientists to participate in real and meaningful scientific research focusing on how eclipses affect life on Earth. ES:CSP is set to launch in 2023 using the October 14, 2023 annular eclipse as a beta test for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Below is a short video about the project.

Eclipse Soundscapes: Citizen Science Project will revisit the Wheeler et. al (1935) study, an early attempt to conduct a citizen science project by documenting animal reactions to a 1932 total eclipse. To record the behavior of animals, the Boston Society of Natural History formed an Eclipse Behavior Committee, including game wardens, naturalists, and members of the general public (Wheeler et al., 1935). This generated 498 reports of the activities of birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, and fish. While these, and other accounts recorded during other eclipses, hint at changes in animal behavior, most reports do not have enough detail or accuracy to validate or disprove scientific hypotheses. The accounts also include observations of acoustic changes. As Vernon Bailey of NH wrote: “During the time of totality not a sound was heard except the chirping of numerous crickets.” This suggests that eclipses could be studied in a multisensory manner. With the help of citizen scientists, NASA subject matter experts (SMEs) will collect audio recordings from eclipses and analyze acoustic data to determine how disruptions in light and circadian rhythms may affect ecosystems. The data will include soundscapes recorded by the National Park Service and Brigham Young University during the 2017 total solar eclipse, as well as recordings to be taken during the 2023 annular eclipse and 2024 total solar eclipse. The analysis of these recordings will be central to ARISA Lab’s informal learning objective, which is focused on fostering self-efficacy in under-represented learners, specifically members of the Blind and Low-Vision community (BLV). Under the guidance of NASA SMEs, citizen scientists will participate in workshops, and collect and analyze eclipse acoustic data.

Follow the project on Facebook @EclipseSoundscapes, Twitter @EclipseSoundUDL, and Instagram @EclipseSoundscapes to stay updated and get involved in 2023 and 2024!