Solar Eclipse Planning Workshop, 8-9 April 2022, Virtually Anywhere

Registrants List | Workshop Program | Posters | Resources | Free Public Lecture

The American Astronomical Society (AAS) Solar Eclipse Task Force held a virtual eclipse-planning workshop Friday-Saturday, April 8-9, 2022, online via Zoom. This event brought together nearly 300 astronomers, educators, local and state officials, and others involved (or wanting to become involved) in preparing their communities for the 2023 and 2024 North American solar eclipses. Each day’s program ran from 9 am to 2 pm PDT (12 pm to 5 pm EDT) on Zoom, followed by a 2-hour networking and poster session in Gather.

The oral sessions focused on best practices in eclipse-related formal and informal education and public outreach, including effective ways to reach underserved populations. Newcomers to eclipse planning learned about the 2023 and 2024 eclipses and about appropriate resources to help their communities prepare for them. Posters covered the full gamut of eclipse-related topics.

Workshop Banner — North America will soon be treated to two major solar eclipses, when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align. On both occasions, nearly everyone in the Americas will have at least a partial solar eclipse. Map courtesy Michael Zeiler, GreatAmericanEclipse.com.

Workshop Program

Video recordings of plenary and breakout sessions are available on the AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force YouTube channel via the links below. Where possible, we have also provided copies of the presentation slides as PDFs (linked from the presenters' names). These are for your personal use only. If you wish to publish or otherwise reproduce any of the content in these files, you must obtain permission from the presenters — otherwise you may be in violation of copyright law. If you need help contacting a presenter, email the AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force.

Day 1 — Friday, April 8, 2022

Block 1: Introduction & Eclipse Overview (via Zoom)
9:00 am to 11:30 am PDT / 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm EDT / 16:00 to 18:30 UTC

Plenary Session 1
9:00 am PDT / 12:00 pm EDT

Chair: Claire Raftery (National Solar Observatory & Co-Chair, AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force)

Welcome & Introductions

Speaker: Rick Fienberg (Project Manager, AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force)

Solar Eclipses and What to Expect in 2023 & 2024

Speaker: Angela Speck (Univ. of Texas, San Antonio & Co-Chair, AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force)
An overview of the upcoming American eclipses and where to see them at their best.

Breakout Session 1.1
9:50 am PDT / 12:50 pm EDT

Total vs. Annular vs. Partial Solar Eclipses — How They're Different & Why It Matters

Moderator: Rick Fienberg (Project Manager, AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force)
Panelist: Kate Russo (BeingInTheShadow.com)
Different types of solar eclipses offer different experiences to observers in different locations. They require different safety precautions too. Is it really worth the effort to get into the path of a total solar eclipse? (Hint: Oh, yes!)

Breakout Session 1.2
9:50 am PDT / 12:50 pm EDT

A Tour of the 2023 and 2024 North American Solar Eclipses

Moderator: Michael Zeiler (GreatAmericanEclipse.com)
One of the world's foremost eclipse cartographers walks us through the coming eclipses using new content from GreatAmericanEclipse.com as well as the newly published "Atlas of Solar Eclipses" and "Field Guide to the 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses." Learn how to read eclipse maps, where to find the best ones, what to look for when selecting an observing site and a backup for when weather threatens, and more.

Block 2 — Formal Education (via Zoom)
11:30 am to 2:00 pm PDT / 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm EDT / 18:30 to 21:00 UTC

Plenary Session 2
11:30 am PDT / 2:30 pm EDT

Chair: Andrew Fraknoi (Univ. of San Francisco / San Francisco State Univ.)

Introduction & Session Overview

Eclipse Opportunities for K-12 Schools & Districts

Speaker: Dennis Schatz (Institute for Learning Innovation & National Science Teaching Association)
What did we learn from the experience of K-12 teachers, principals, and students with the 2017 eclipse and what do we need to do better in 2023/2024?

Eclipse Opportunities for Colleges & Universities

Speaker: Bob Baer (Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale)
Solar eclipses provide a unique opportunity for higher education to create STEAM engagement programs on a grand scale, but the planning and logistics of such activities can be daunting and difficult to initiate. Mr. Baer shares his experience from planning eclipse events and engagement activities at SIU Carbondale with an emphasis on getting started, gaining campus and community buy-in, and initial team and capacity-building required for a variety of campus-led eclipse initiatives.

Breakout Session 2.1
12:25 pm PDT / 3:25 pm EDT

Engaging with K-12 Teachers, Principals & Superintendents

Moderator: Mike Szydlowski (Columbia [Missouri] Public Schools)
Panelists: Dennis Schatz (Institute for Learning Innovation & National Science Teaching Association), Angela Turner (Southwest Independent School District, San Antonio), Theo Wellington (NASA Solar System Ambassador)
After some introductory comments by the moderator and panelists, we have an open discussion among participants about effective resources available to K-12 teachers, how to best distribute these resources to teachers and administrators, and especially how to inform administrators about the value of students observing the eclipse.

Breakout Session 2.2
12:25 pm PDT / 3:25 pm EDT

Engaging with College & University Students, Faculty & Administrators

Moderator: Bob Baer (Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale)
Panelists: Angela Speck (Univ. of Texas, San Antonio & Co-Chair, AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force), Amy Keesee (Univ. of New Hampshire)
Hear from university astronomers who prepared their institutions for the August 2017 solar eclipse. What worked well, and what do they plan to do differently for the 2023 and 2024 eclipses?

Public Talk Promo Poster Networking & Poster Session (via Gather)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm PDT / 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm EDT / 21:00 to 23:00 UTC

FREE Public Lecture
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm PDT / 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm EDT / 23:00 to 24:00 UTC

Here We Go Again...and Again: The Great American Eclipses of 2023 & 2024

Speaker: Angela Speck (Univ. of Texas, San Antonio & Co-Chair, AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force)
Learn how and why eclipses happen, what you can expect to experience during the 2023 annular and 2024 total eclipses, and why you shouldn’t settle for a partial solar eclipse if you can possibly get yourself into the path of an annular or, especially, a total one. More information...

Day 2 — Saturday, April 9, 2022

Block 3: Informal Education & Public Outreach I (via Zoom)
9:00 am to 11:30 am PDT / 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm EDT / 16:00 to 18:30 UTC

Plenary Session 3
9:00 am PDT / 12:00 pm EDT

Chair: Derrick Pitts (Fels Planetarium, Franklin Institute Science Museum)

Preparing Community Partners for Success

Speaker: Vivian White (Astronomical Society of the Pacific)
With the lessons learned from 2017, communities on and off the path of the Moon's central shadow will be better informed about what to expect this time. How do we prepare informal educators and their audiences to make meaning of the science and cultural connections inspired by two solar eclipses? We have some ideas!

Community Partners: Lessons Learned from 2017

Moderator: Greg Schultz (Astronomical Society of the Pacific)
Panelists: Carmen Pantoja (University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras), Anne Holland (Space Science Institute), Amy Sayle (Morehead Planetarium & Science Center), Andrew Fraknoi (Univ. of San Francisco / San Francisco State Univ.)
Hear from partners who prepared their communities and millions across the U.S. for the 2017 eclipse. What are they bringing with them, and what will they do differently?

Breakout Session 3.1
9:55 am PDT / 12:55 pm EDT

Working with Libraries as Community Information Centers

Moderator: Andrew Fraknoi (Univ. of San Francisco / San Francisco State Univ.)
Panelists: Dennis Schatz (Institute for Learning Innovation & National Science Teaching Association), Anne Holland (Space Science Institute)
In 2017, more than 7,000 public libraries served as community centers for eclipse glasses, information, and, often, viewing. Many other groups contributed to or received help from these libraries. In 2023-24 we hope to increase the number of participating libraries to more than 10,000, to have more glasses available through libraries, and to enlist many partners for the librarians to help them serve as information loci for their communities.

Breakout Session 3.2
9:55 am PDT / 12:55 pm EDT

Engaging with Local, State & National Parks

Moderator: Tyler Nordgren (Space Art Travel Bureau)
Panelists: Katie Raney (Texas State Parks), Jennifer Godfrey (Oregon State Parks), Megan Wilkins (National Park Service), Andrea Jones (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
State and national parks are natural places of local pride where individuals from near and far can gather to enjoy and learn about the outdoors. Because of their open spaces and informed staff, these parks are an excellent source of informal science education and during the 2017 total solar eclipse were one of the most popular places to witness and learn about the eclipse. This panel explores lessons learned about informal science education from 2017 and how to apply them in 2023 and 2024.

Block 4 — Informal Education & Public Outreach II (via Zoom)
11:30 am to 2:00 pm PDT / 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm EDT / 18:30 to 21:00 UTC

Plenary Session 4
11:30 am PDT / 2:30 pm EDT

Chair: Angela Speck (Univ. of Texas, San Antonio [UTSA] & Co-Chair, AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force)

The Many Facets of Eclipse Outreach

Speaker: Laura Peticolas (Sonoma State Univ.)
Eclipse outreach is most impactful when it is done in partnership with members of the community you wish to engage. This talk provides concrete actions one can take to initiate new or build on existing partnerships for successful eclipse outreach.

Outreach to Underserved Communities

Moderator: Laura Peticolas (Sonoma State Univ.)
Panelists: Angela Speck (UTSA), Cody Cly (UTSA), Trae Winter (ARISA Lab), Derrick Pitts (Franklin Institute)
Hear from people who may have different perspectives on solar eclipses than you do. Listen to a discussion on how underrepresented voices in science can contribute to a positive eclipse experience in ways you may never have imagined.

Breakout Session 4.1
12:25 pm PDT / 3:25 pm EDT

Essential Resources for Eclipse Education & Outreach

Moderator: Rick Fienberg (Project Manager, AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force)
Panelists: Kelly Korreck (NASA), Dan McGlaun (Eclipse2024.org), Michael Zeiler (GreatAmericanEclipse.com), Fred Espenak (EclipseWise.com & MrEclipse.com)
There are many books, websites, and other resources available about solar eclipses, but some stand head and shoulders above the rest. Here are some of the best for anyone aiming to enlighten themselves and others about what happens when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align.

Breakout Session 4.2
12:25 pm PDT / 3:25 pm EDT

Engaging with Museums, Planetariums & Science Centers

Moderator: Michelle Nichols (Adler Planetarium)
Panelists: Mitzi Adams (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center), Derrick Pitts (Franklin Institute), Allyson Bieryla (Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian)
Hear about some successful 2017 eclipse activities that science centers conducted in off-the-path cities; about how science centers, public schools, and informal science programs can partner to serve diverse audiences; and about how sonification tools are making solar eclipses accessible to blind and low-vision people.

Networking & Poster Session (via Gather)
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm PDT / 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm EDT / 21:00 to 23:00 UTC

Posters

Click on the links below to download and view the posters, which are provided as 1-page PDFs. These posters are copyrighted by the authors; if you wish to reproduce them, repost them, or otherwise use content from them, you must seek permission from the authors. If you need help contacting them, email the AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force for assistance.

Eclipse Observing & Eye Safety

“How to View the Sun Safely,” Noella Dcruz
“American PaperWear Solar Eclipse Viewers,” Mickey Loeb
“A Safe Solar Viewer (SSV) as a Tool for Engaging STEM Minorities in Eclipse Activities,” Terry Richardson

Eclipse Resources for Education & Outreach

“Tactile Maps for 2023 and 2024 Eclipses,” David Hurd
“Eclipse2024.org (English),” Dan McGlaun
“Eclipse2024.org (Spanish),” Dan McGlaun
“The Experience of Totality,” Kate Russo

Eclipse Science

“Life Responds: Connecting Community Science, Animals, and Solar Eclipses,” Jacqueline Benitez
"How You Can Perform the Modern Eddington Experiment in 2024," Toby Dittrich
“More than a Fleeting Straight Line: How Eclipses, Transits, and Occultations Can Help to Reveal the Physics of the Universe,” Noella Dcruz
“NASA/JSC New Airborne Science Aircraft Fleet of Five Specialized Platforms Supporting Suborbital Research Programs Globally,” Andrew Roberts

Informal Education & Public Engagement

“A Few Tips for Hosting Solar Eclipse Viewing for the Public,” Noella Dcruz
“Eclipse Event for the Public,” Douglas Duncan
“NASA PUNCH Outreach: Shining a Light on Diverse Views of the Sun,” Briana Ingermann
“La Fiesta del Sol at the Scobee Education Center,” Rick Varner
“NH Solar Eclipse Ambassador Program,” Rik Yeames

Local Planning

“Indiana in Eclipse,” Thomas Hockey
“Community Eclipse Planning: Lessons from the Past,” Kate Russo
“Leveraging Multiple Eclipse Opportunities in Australia,” Kate Russo

National Planning

“Plan Your Visit: Fall 2023 AAS Eclipse Workshop,” Douglas Arion

Resources Mentioned During Zoom Chats

The following resources were mentioned by attendees via text chat during the Zoom sessions (both plenaries and breakouts). Many of these (as well as many others) are included on this website's Resources pages.

Presentations from the April 2021 Workshop

Books