2023 & 2024 Eclipse Series
Find everything you need for the greatest show in the solar system!
Explore the fascinating astrophysics of eclipses with astronaut Steve Bowen. Ever wonder why we don’t have an eclipse every month? What are the odds that the Moon perfectly covers the sun? Astrophysics is even more fascinating than fiction!
We are excited to offer two age-appropriate book readings and one on-orbit science demonstration that will excite you and your students for the 2023 and 2024 eclipses!
Totality! Reading with Kinesthetic Astronomy Demonstration Astronaut Steve Bowen focuses on the lyrical reading of Totality!, giving young students a simple understanding of the astrophysics of an eclipse. Students can then follow Steve’s instructions as they try out the lunar eclipse dance to understand the unique rotation of the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
Totality! Reading with Science Deep Dive Astronaut Steve Bowen presents the lyrical reading of Totality!, and then explores the science concepts on each page. Great for elementary, middle, and older students, the higher level concepts are enhanced with 3D modeled animations from NASA’s science visualization lab and concept imagery from Big Kid Science.
Science Time From Space Eclipse Demonstration Astronaut Steve Bowen creates a model of the Earth, Moon, and Sun system inside the Japanese Kibo Laboratory on the International Space Station! Steve demonstrates the unique Earth and Moon orbits and highlights the differences between an annular and total eclipse. Each concept is enhanced with graphics and animations developed in consultation with Astrophysicist Jeffrey Bennett.
About “Totality!: An Eclipse Guide in Rhyme and Science ,” by Jeffrey Bennett
Totality! features a unique combination of rhyme and science that makes it suitable for a wide range of ages. The rhyme has been pedagogically constructed to serve as a mnemonic device for the underlying science explained with illustration and “Big Kid Box” sidebars. The book concludes with a glossary, suggested activities, and a one-page eclipse science summary — features that will add particular value for parents and teachers learning along with their students or kids.
Printed books come with two pairs of eclipse glasses (placed in an envelope inside the front cover), and instructions on their use, that will allow readers to view the eclipse safely.
Get the FREE Totality Eclipse App!
Totality by Big Kid Science
New: Fully Updated Release 3.0 (as of August 2023)!
Developer: Germinate LLC
Eclipse code by Xavier Jubier
Science content by Jeffrey Bennett
App owner: The American Astronomical Society
Would you like to see a total solar eclipse? Use the FREE app, Totality by Big Kid Science, to learn about upcoming eclipses around the world, including the 2023 annular and 2024 total eclipses in the U.S.A. Totality’s awesome features include:
- An interactive map that shows exactly what you’ll see at any location in the world for upcoming (and recent past) annular and total solar eclipses, including up the USA annular eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 and TOTAL solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. (Maps based on eclipse code graciously provided by Xavier Jubier.)
- Using your phone’s GPS, the app will tell you what you’ll see for these eclipses at your current location, as well as showing you the nearest locations where you can witness TOTALITY and the location where totality will last the longest. The app even ties to your phone’s map tool to provide navigation to the path of Totality.
- Zoom, scroll, and tap to move around the map, get eclipse circumstances at any location, or bring up additional eclipse details.
- The Learn screen offers option that will help you learn how, when, and why eclipses occur, as well as classroom activities, links to maps for upcoming solar and lunar eclipses through 2030 (and in some cases beyond), and more.
- The Shop screen offers fantastic books about space and science, eclipse glasses (which you can use to look at the Sun at any time, not just during an eclipse), and links to some of our favorite space education non-profits.
- And it’s all absolutely free, including no ads, created for you as a public service by Big Kid Science.
WARNING
Eye Safety During a Total Solar Eclipse
Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing.
Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses no matter how dark, are they are still not safe for viewing the Sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and must comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard.
Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device. Always supervise children using solar viewers.