When a celestial object passes in front of another, it can create a shadow that moves across space and sometimes Earth. These events, known as eclipses, occultations, and transits, provide scientists with unique opportunities to study distant objects. By observing changes in light when one object blocks another, astronomers can gather information about sizes, shapes, atmospheres, and orbits of asteroids and planets.
The Science Through Shadows project, funded by NASA’s Science Activation program and led by Fiske Planetarium at the University of Colorado Boulder, explores how these shadow-based events aid in astronomical research. The project has produced a series of short films that explain the science behind eclipses, occultations, and solar observations while highlighting the individuals involved in these discoveries, such as students, educators, and volunteer citizen scientists.
The videos are intended for educational use in different settings like classrooms, libraries, and planetariums, and are available in both English and Spanish for free. They come in 2D formats for streaming and classroom use, as well as fulldome formats for planetariums worldwide.
Focus: The annular solar eclipse of October 14, 2023 On October 14, 2023, observers in North America witnessed an annular solar eclipse, also known as a “ring of fire.” During this event, the Moon passed in front of the Sun but appeared slightly smaller in the sky, leaving a bright ring of sunlight visible around its edges.
This video explains the differences between annular and total solar eclipses, delves into the science behind these occurrences, and emphasizes safe viewing practices. It also explores why eclipses are scientifically significant and memorable experiences for observers.
Focus: The total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024 A total solar eclipse is a dramatic astronomical event visible from Earth. On April 8, 2024, millions of people across North America had the chance to witness the Moon completely blocking the Sun, revealing the Sun’s faint outer atmosphere, the corona.
This video details what happens during a total solar eclipse, the unique experience of witnessing it along the path of totality, and how scientists use eclipses to study the Sun’s atmosphere.
Focus: The science behind eclipses Why don’t eclipses happen every month? What conditions are necessary for the Sun, Earth, and Moon to align?
This episode explores the orbital mechanics that lead to eclipses and clarifies the distinctions between solar and lunar eclipses, helping viewers grasp the celestial alignments that produce these remarkable events.
Focus: The Lucy occultation campaign When an asteroid passes in front of a distant star, it briefly blocks the star’s light and casts a shadow on Earth. This event, known as an occultation, provides valuable insights into the asteroid’s characteristics.
This video follows the Lucy Occultation Project, where scientists and citizen scientists collaborated to observe the Trojan asteroid Polymele ahead of NASA’s Lucy mission flyby. By observing Polymele passing in front of a star on February 3, 2023, they gained a better understanding of the asteroid before the spacecraft’s encounter.
Focus: NASA’s Parker Solar Probe NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is enabling scientists to study the Sun at a closer range than ever before. By making its closest approach to the Sun on December 24, 2024, traveling over 430,000 miles per hour, the spacecraft is providing crucial data on the Sun’s outer atmosphere.
This video demonstrates how the Parker Solar Probe researches the Sun’s atmosphere and helps address longstanding inquiries about the solar corona and solar wind.
Focus: NASA’s PUNCH mission NASA’s PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission offers a new perspective on how the Sun impacts the area between the Sun and Earth.
With four suitcase-sized satellites in low-Earth orbit, PUNCH produces three-dimensional observations of that region, aiding scientists in understanding the formation and evolution of the solar wind and solar storms as they travel through space.
Focus: Citizen science during recent solar eclipses Solar eclipses present collaborative research opportunities. This episode highlights two large participatory science projects from recent North American eclipses: the Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project, led by Montana State University and funded by NASA Science Activation, and Citizen CATE 2024, an observing campaign supported by NASA and the National Science Foundation.
Through balloon launches, telescope observations, and hands-on engineering challenges, participants collected data that scientists are currently analyzing. The episode underscores how individuals with curiosity and passion can significantly contribute to scientific discovery.
2D versions of these videos in English and Spanish can be accessed on Fiske Planetarium’s YouTube channel, with downloadable versions available through the project’s distribution page. Fulldome masters in various resolutions are also downloadable for free on the Fiske Productions page for planetariums to share these discovery stories with their audiences.
Projects like Science Through Shadows, supported by NASA’s Science Activation program, aim to connect individuals worldwide with NASA Science content, experts, and opportunities to engage. Whether observing an eclipse, tracking an asteroid’s shadow, or analyzing spacecraft data, these moments of alignment offer valuable chances to explore the universe and participate in the discovery process.
Everyone, regardless of nationality or citizenship, can collaborate with professional scientists, participate in cutting-edge science, and make real discoveries as volunteers in NASA Citizen Science projects. These initiatives allow participants to contribute to NASA’s research divisions, including Earth science, planetary science, astrophysics, biological and physical sciences, and heliophysics. To explore available projects and get involved, visit: [link to NASA Citizen Science page].
