Frequently Asked Questions
On this page you can find the answers to frequently asked questions about the following topics
Eclipse FAQ
What is a solar eclipse and why does it happen?
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. In a total eclipse, the moon appears to block out the sun — except for a wispy ring of light called the corona — because from Earth, the apparent view of the Moon is almost as large as the apparent view of the Sun. Eclipses occur about every one to two years somewhere on Earth, but they are rare to see. When the Moon passes between the Earth and Sun, sometimes the shadow of the Moon falls above the Earth, and sometimes it falls below the Earth. That’s because the Moon wobbles on its axis. Any given spot on the planet is darkened by the moon’s shadow once every 400 years or so. The last time the continental United States saw a total eclipse was in 1979. A total eclipse can only be seen from within the umbra: the darkest part of the Moon’s shadow where it falls on Earth. Viewers in the penumbra, the more diffuse part of the Moon’s shadow, in which the Sun is only partially blocked, will see a partial eclipse.
How can I view the solar eclipse safely?
It is always unsafe to look directly into the Sun except for a few brief moments during totality in which the Moon blocks out the majority of sunlight. If you are watching the entire progression of the total eclipse, or watching a partial eclipse, you must protect your eyes by looking through a special filter. The easiest solution is to obtain a pair of specialized eclipse glasses, which filter out harmful ultra-violet, infrared, and intense visible light. Ordinary sunglasses, no matter how dark, will not protect your eyes during an eclipse. Some telescopes also have specialized solar filters for viewing the sun, but do not look at the sun through unprotected telescopes, binoculars, or cameras. If you don’t have access to eclipse glasses or a filter, learn how to create a pinhole projector to project an image of the Sun. We will have more information on safely viewing the eclipse on our blog soon.
Where and when can I experience a total solar Eclipse?
| DATE | LOCATIONS |
|---|---|
| December 4, 2021 | South in Australia, South in Africa, South in South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica |
| April 20, 2023 | South/East Asia, Australia, Pacific, Indian Ocean, Antarctica |
| April 8, 2024 | West in Europe, North America, North in South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic |
| August 12, 2026 | Europe, North/East Asia, North/West Africa, North America, Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic |
| August 2, 2027 | South/West Europe, South/West Asia, Much of Africa, East in North America, Atlantic, Indian Ocean |
| July 22, 2028 | South in Asia, Australia, Pacific, Indian Ocean, Antarctica |
| November 25, 2030 | South in Asia, Australia, South/East Africa, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Antarctica |
Eclipse Soundscapes: Citizen Science Project FAQ
Coming soon! If you have a question about the Eclipse Soundscapes: Citizen Science Project, please contact us at Admin@ARISALab.org.
Eclipse Soundscapes Mobile App FAQ
I’m not visually impaired. Can I still use your app?
Of course! Our app includes a wealth of educational tools, so if you’re an auditory or tactile learner — or just someone who wants to know more about the eclipse — our app is a great supplement to your learning experience.
My app says during the eclipse, the audio description will not be presented if voiceover is on. Should I turn my voiceover off?
During the eclipse, the audio description will not be presented if voiceover is on. That is because the text of the audio description is on the screen, and your voiceover will try to read it, resulting in competing audio. So you have two choices:
- Keep your voiceover on and SIRI will read you the description text according to your voice over settings.
- Turn your voiceover off and the pre-recorded descriptions will play for you in a slower, but more rich human voice.
You’ll get the audio descriptions either way, it’s just a matter of personal preference!
I don’t feel my Rumble Map making vibrations. Am I using it correctly?
The Rumble Map is best used without headphones or external speakers. The sounds are specially designed to “rumble” the speakers in your smartphone, so it functions best using just your phone’s speakers at a high volume. For future releases, we hope to develop a Rumble Map that uses the haptic motor in your phone to produce a stronger vibration.
I don’t have a smartphone, but I want to enjoy the eclipse with Eclipse Soundscapes. What can I do?
You can enjoy the illustrative audio descriptions of the eclipse with mp3 files available for streaming and download at EclipseSoundscapes.org.
I’d like to get involved in the Eclipse Soundscapes project. Where can I learn more?
We’re so glad to hear that you’re excited about Eclipse Soundscapes! Please follow us on social media to get all project updates and info!