Eclipse Programs, Events, and Resources for Educators

Understanding Weather and Climate to View the 2024 Eclipse*

• When: Schedule most days, except Wednesdays.
• Connect your learners directly with Mount Washington Observatory educators for a one-on-one session exploring the science behind eclipses, and how the climate of your region, and the weather on the day of the event will affect your viewing experience. *Program fee with reduced pricing for School Members and multiple programs.
• To learn more and request a program, visit our Distance Learning page

Forecasting the 2024 Total Eclipse

• When: Thursday, April 4th at 7:00pm eastern
• Join University of Maine astronomer Shawn Laatsch and Weather Observer and Education Specialist Francis Tarasiewicz for a free, live program (recorded for later viewing as well) to learn about eclipses, how to safely view them, and the all-important weather forecast for your planned viewing location.
• To learn more and register for this program, visit our Science in the Mountains page

Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani

• When: April 8th 12:00pm –5:00pm
• Where: The Lodges at Coleman State Park in Stewartstown, New Hampshire
• Join Mount Washington Observatory educators at Coleman State Park’s 2024 North American Solar Eclipse viewing party! Bring your family and come learn about some exciting eclipse community science initiatives and how to collect data (such as temperature, clouds, and sound) during totality. This is a great way to actively participate in cutting-edge science during a rare astronomical event!
• Learn more about all our events on this page.

Many excellent resources exist for engaging your learners. Be sure to check out the University of New Hampshire’s Cooperative Extension page to learn about viewing opportunities and resources. You can also check out the video “How to View and Eclipse with UNH”. Along with our partners in the Learning Ecosystem Northeast Project, we are encouraging learners to conduct observations during the eclipse that range from temperature change, cloud cover, and wildlife sounds. Check out these different opportunities below to contribute your eclipse observations!

1. GLOBE Observer app. This citizen science project uses an app that will feature an Eclipse Data Observer feature. This will allow anyone to input temperature and cloud data for the few hours before and after the eclipse. The data will be used as part of the citizen science project. You will need an outdoor thermometer to record temperature data during the eclipse.
2. Eclipse Soundscapes. This project allows anyone to submit sound observations during the eclipse. The wildlife around you, and the weather, will be affected by the moon covering the sun. The Eclipse Soundscapes project team will use all the submitted sound data to investigate how the eclipse affects wildlife and other sounds.
3. Eclipse Nature Notes. Nature Note is a project from our friends at Gulf of Maine Research Institute that will include a writing and observation prompt that you can use to encourage anyone to write and submit their eclipse observations. These will be sent to other groups for peer review, and finally released on our digital map for anyone to explore. Sign up for Nature Note updates, including updates in webinar training sessions, here.

Make safety your top priority when preparing to view the total eclipse. It is never safe to look directly at the sun. Here are some important safety guidelines from NASA:

• View the Sun through eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases before and after totality.
• You can view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the Moon completely obscures the Sun’s bright face – during the brief and spectacular period known as totality. (You’ll know it’s safe when you can no longer see any part of the Sun through eclipse glasses or a solar viewer.)
• As soon as you see even a little bit of the bright Sun reappear after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the Sun.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SAFETY FROM NASA