A total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017 in Madras, Oregon. Credit: NASA/Gopalswamy.
A solar eclipse is one of nature’s most spectacular events that also provides an incredible opportunity to learn about the sun and our planet. NOAA cares about solar eclipses because they offer a rare chance to study both space and the Earth at the same time. The moon blocks the blinding brightness of the sun and reveals its hidden outer atmosphere, known as the corona, the origin of space weather.
NOAA scientists also can measure temporary changes in Earth's atmosphere during the daytime darkness of an eclipse. By studying these unique changes, NOAA can enhance its weather forecasting technology.
While NOAA is known for weather forecasts, NOAA satellites also help monitor and forecast space weather events. Monitoring the sun and its fiery outer atmosphere is a priority for NOAA, and a solar eclipse is a special opportunity for scientists to study the corona and observe how the moon’s shadow can briefly change conditions on Earth.
NOAA’s satellites play an important role in observing the effects of solar eclipses. From their unique vantage points in space, their special instruments and cameras collect valuable data that help scientists understand the sun, Earth, and the impacts of eclipses.
Whether you’re preparing to view an eclipse or looking to dive deeper into the science behind these amazing events, NOAA has a wealth of useful resources and activities for you to explore.
Learn About Solar Eclipses
The resources below will help you dive deeper into what happens during eclipses.
- NESDIS Total Solar Eclipse Guide: Discover everything you need to explain the science of a total solar eclipse. This guide explores these spectacular phenomena and highlights how NOAA uses its satellites to track them.
- “Seeing a Solar Eclipse From Space”: Explore a solar eclipse from unique points of view. This resource showcases satellite imagery to enhance understanding through visual learning.
- NOAA Satellites View Total Solar Eclipse: Take a deeper dive into real-world observations during a past total solar eclipse. Explore the practical applications of the information NOAA satellites gather about eclipses.
Explore and Create
Bring eclipse science to life with hands-on activities and engaging resources.
- SWFO Kids Video: Introduce students, through this engaging animated video, to a very special satellite that watches the sun and monitors space weather. It explores how a coronagraph, an instrument onboard this satellite, creates an “artificial eclipse” that allows our scientists to study the sun and its space weather effects in better detail.
- The “Make a Coronagraph” Activity Guide: Engage your students in this hands-on activity using basic craft supplies to create a simple coronagraph. By building their own coronagraph, students discover how the instrument blocks direct sunlight to mimic a solar eclipse.
- The Cooking with JPSS Pineapple Solar Salsa Recipe Card: Mix up this solar-themed recipe while learning fascinating facts about how NOAA satellites can observe solar eclipses.
Plan Your View
After learning the science behind solar eclipses, teachers and students can prepare themselves for attending the exciting event in person! The following tools and resources will help you prepare for safe viewing, locations and additional details of upcoming eclipses.
- Find Details about Upcoming Eclipses: NOAA partners with NASA in their solar and space weather observational projects. This NASA calendar offers detailed information of upcoming solar and lunar eclipse events worldwide.
- How to View an Eclipse Safely: Learn how to safely observe a solar eclipse using solar viewing glasses and indirect pinhole projectors to prevent eye damage, among other safety tips.
- See a Solar Eclipse in Near Real Time Through the Lens of NOAA's Compact Coronagraph: Watch the sun’s outer atmosphere as the Space Weather Prediction Center shares near real-time imagery of what is happening in the outermost part of the sun’s atmosphere. Here, students get to revisit the coronagraph, the instrument that creates an artificial eclipse and allows NOAA scientists to study space weather.
Happy Eclipse Watching!
A solar eclipse is a thrilling opportunity to see science in action. Whether you’re observing from your backyard, learning in the classroom, or discovering how satellites study these events from space, NOAA’s resources can help make your eclipse experience both educational and memorable.
We hope these resources will inspire curiosity about the sun, moon and Earth as well as enable a safe and exciting eclipse viewing experience. Come back anytime to learn more!