How to participate in the Eclipse Soundscapes Project?
There are many different ways that people can participate in the Eclipse Soundscapes: Citizen Science Project (ES:CSP) and support its scientific mission. You can engage in just one role or several of the roles below. We ask that ALL participants complete the Apprentice role first, which is free and online. After that, you can choose to engage in any of the other roles. All are very important to the success of the Eclipse Soundscapes: Citizen Science Project!
Roles Overview
- Apprentice – Gather the eclipse knowledge you need to participate in ES:CSP
- Observer – Get out and use all of your senses to collect observations and then share eclipse day observations with ES:CSP
- Data Collector – Collect soundscapes data during eclipse week to share with ES:CSP
- Data Analyst – Analyze all of the eclipse soundscapes data
- Mentor – Organize and lead a group of eclipse or soundscape enthusiasts in any or all of the roles listed above
Eclipse Soundscapes Apprentice
(2023-2025)
Scientists spend time learning about their topic of study before making observations or collecting data. Therefore, learning about eclipses is the first step in participating in this project. Anyone with an internet connection can learn about solar eclipses as an “Eclipse Soundscapes Apprentice” through our free online lessons in the Apprentice Training. At the end of the lessons, you can take a quiz to earn your Eclipse Soundscapes Apprentice certificate of completion
- Free online lessons, no sign-up required
- No location requirements
- Completion certificate provided after online quiz
Eclipse Soundscapes Observer
(Annular Eclipse 2023 & Total Solar Eclipse 2024)
Observation is very important in science as it allows us to create and test hypotheses. As citizen scientists, you will observe in order to collect and record data about your surroundings during the 2023 annular solar eclipse and/or the 2024 total solar eclipse. Anyone with an internet connection can learn how to observe as an “Eclipse Soundscapes Observer” through our free online training (COMING by AUGUST 2023). This training will prepare you to observe during one of the upcoming solar eclipses. All observations on, near, or far from the eclipse paths are needed. There will be a form on this website to submit your eclipse observations from the October 14, 2023 annular eclipse (AVAILABLE OCT-NOV 2023) and from the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse (AVAILABLE APRIL-MAY 2024). After you submit an observation you will earn an Eclipse Soundscapes Observer certificate of completion.
- Free online Observer Training, no sign-up required (COMING by AUG 2023)
- No location requirements
- Annular Eclipse Observation Submission Form (AVAILABLE OCT-NOV 2023)
- Total Solar Eclipse Observation Submission Form (AVAILABLE APRIL-MAY 2024)
- Completion certificate provided after observation submission
Eclipse Soundscapes Data Collector
(Annular Eclipse 2023 & Total Solar Eclipse 2024)
SIGN-UP/APPLICATION REQUIRED
As scientists conduct research, they collect data, often with tools that help them enhance their senses and recording abilities. During the week of the 2023 annular solar eclipse or the week of the 2024 total solar eclipse, citizen scientists will use AudioMoth devices equipped with micro-SD cards to collect and record soundscapes data on or near the eclipse path! Anyone with an internet connection can learn how to collect data as an “Eclipse Soundscapes Data Collector” through our free online training (COMING by AUGUST 2023). This training will provide all of the information needed to collect data for ES:CSP during the upcoming solar eclipses. However, collecting data does require equipment. YOU MUST BE 13 years or older to apply to be a data collector. If you are under 18, a guardian must apply for you.
- Free online Data Collection Training, No sign-up required for lessons (COMING AUG 2023)
- Location Requirement: on or near the eclipse path, 80%+ visibility. Click here to determine your location and visibility % during the 2023 annular eclipse.
- Completion certificate provided after data submission
Eclipse Soundscapes Data Analyst
(2024-2025)
It’s important for scientists to learn more about their topic of study by analyzing the data that they collect. Therefore, another important way for people to participate in this project is by helping to analyze all of the soundscape data that is collected. Anyone with an internet connection can learn how to analyze data as an “Eclipse Soundscapes Data Analyst” through our free online training (COMING IN 2024). This training will get you ready to analyze the soundscape data that is collected in 2023 and 2024. After you analyze soundscapes data you will earn an Eclipse Soundscapes Data Analyst certificate of completion.
- Free online Data Analysis Training, no sign-up required for lessons (COMING IN 2024)
- No location requirements
- Data Analysis Submission Form (COMING in 2024)
- Completion certificate provided after analysis submission (COMING in 2024)
Eclipse Soundscapes Mentor
(2023-2025)
SIGN-UP/APPLICATION REQUIRED
We welcome scientists, educators, library staff, troop leaders, park staff, and other community leaders to organize and support a small group of people interested in participating in any or all of the ES:CSP roles during either the October 2023 annular eclipse or the 2024 total solar eclipse. Mentors are required to APPLY. Mentors selected to lead groups to collect data will receive a free data collection kit.
Optional Eclipse Soundscapes Mentor Activity Ideas
We invite you to run your group based on your group’s needs. Below is a list of some activity ideas that might work well for your group:
- Organize and meet with your group and guide them in completing the Apprentice training and the activity training relevant to them before the solar eclipse — the Observer Training, the Data Collection Training, or both! This way each person gets their own certificate of completion.
- Plan outings to scout out your observation or data collection location before the eclipse.
- Meet to practice observing with all of your senses before the eclipse
- Meet to learn about the different switches and components of the AudioMoth device before the eclipse
- Meet during the eclipse to observe together
- Meet after the eclipse to talk about your experiences
Stay Updated!
The Eclipse Soundscapes: Citizen Science Project will soon be recruiting members of the public to fill the roles listed below. Sign up here to receive participation information as it becomes available!