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Visit ASP’s Eclipse resource page for a countdown to April 8, 2024 with resources to support any of your educational events & personal viewing adventures.

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Welcome to the new NASA Science website. We're working to continuously improve your web experience. If you don't find what you are looking for, give feedback.

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On Monday, April 8, beginning at 2:08 pm, a solar eclipse will be visible across America. Because here in Philadelphia, we are off the path of totality, we'll see a partial eclipse, the first in this region since August 21, 2017. Around Philadelphia, the moon will cover 90% of the sun. With 10% of the sun's surface exposed, it's still too bright to view without eye protection. You must use approved, certified eclipse viewing glasses to protect your eyes while viewing the eclipse. You'll have an awesome, authentic science experience viewing a celestial phenomenon most people have never seen before.

Where to Go and How to View the April 8 Total Solar Eclipse

The path of totality across the US will be a narrow strip approximately 115 miles wide, crossing portions of 15 states from Texas to Maine. To experience the awesome beauty of an annular eclipse, you'll have to get to Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine.

No possibility to travel? Then you'll be among the vast majority of viewers in areas adjacent to the path of totality who will experience a solar eclipse. The moon appears to cover less of the sun as a viewer's distance away from the centerline increases. For this region, 90% of the sun will be covered by the moon, leaving a brilliant 10% still visible. The result? The sky will dim as if the sun were covered by a high deck of thin cirrus clouds. None of the effects of an eclipse will be seen and proper eye protection must be used throughout the 2 hour, 27-minute event. With eye protection for safe, direct viewing or indirect viewing with a simple pinhole projector, you'll see the moon's disc slowly slide between the Sun and Earth. Sunglasses will not provide adequate protection for direct viewing. Specialized viewers reducing the Sun's brightness by 99.98% or more are required.

If weather conditions prevent direct viewing in our region, try one of these websites that will carry the eclipse live from points along the eclipse path: exploratorium.edu/eclipse, or greatamericaneclipse.com.

For a full overview of April's solar eclipse, check out NASA's eclipse website.

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On Monday, April 8, beginning at 2:08 pm, a solar eclipse will be visible across America. Because here in Philadelphia, we are off the path of totality, we'll see a partial eclipse, the first in this region since August 21, 2017. Around Philadelphia, the moon will cover 90% of the sun.

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Are you planning to watch the 2024 solar eclipse with your students? Or are you learning about eclipses in science and looking for engaging ideas? Try this solar eclipse craft activity for kids to show the five stages of a solar eclipse - first contact, second contact, totality, third and fourth contact.

This fun, hands-on activity is perfect for science lessons, or before watching a solar eclipse. The example shows the stages of a total solar eclipse but you could adapt it for other types (e.g. annular or partial eclipses).

What is a total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth. This causes the Sun to be completely obscured, making it dark during the day! During a total solar eclipse, the Sun's corona, or outer atmosphere becomes visible.

Making the solar eclipse craft

You can see the full tutorial over on my YouTube page, or use the written guidance below.
What you need:
☀️Black, yellow, white paper or cardstock

☀️Scissors

☀️Glue

☀️Round objects to draw around (1 for the main sun, the other for the smaller suns/moons). Cups/glasses/coins etc work well for this.

☀️Ruler

☀️Pencil/pen
Optional:
☀️Googly eyes for extra fun

☀️Pipe cleaners (yellow or orange)

☀️Tape

Directions for making the solar eclipse science craft
1. Make the large sun
First, draw a circle on the yellow piece of card for the large sun. I draw around the outside of a drinking glass for this but you could use a compass.

Cut out the yellow circle and fold it in half. Cut along the fold to make 2 equal-sized halves.

Optional: add some googly eyes to one half, and a smiley mouth to the other to give the sun some character!
2. Draw the template for the inside
Next, take a piece of white cardstock. The width of the rectangle should be the same as the straight edge on your sun halves. I made the length 24cm.

Once you've got a large rectangle, use a ruler and pencil to divide it into 6 equal boxes.

Add the tabs to the top and bottom of the template. These are to glue the sun halves onto later.
3. Create the suns and moons
For a total eclipse, you'll need to cut out 5 black circles (moons) and 4 yellow circles (suns). The suns and the moons will be the same size. Make them no larger than the rectangles on the template.

Tip: Fold your paper/card to create more than one sun or moon at a time!
4. Arranging the suns/moons in the template
As you have 6 rectangles but only 5 stages, use the top rectangle to title your project (e.g. 'Total Solar Eclipse').

In the next 5 boxes, arrange the moons and suns to show the solar eclipse stages. If you are making a total eclipse, these will be as follows:

First contact: The Moon is starting to overlap the Sun.

Second contact: The Moon is almost covering the Sun.

Totality: The light from the Sun is blocked as the moon completely covers the disk of the Sun.

Third contact: The Moon starts to move away.

Fourth contact: The Moon no longer covers the Sun and the eclipse ends.

Once everything is arranged, glue the suns and moons in place. I added a little 'glow' around the Moon in the totality phase to show the Sun's corona (atmosphere).

Write the stages onto the template if there's space (if not, just number the stages).
5. Cut out the template
Cut around the outside of the template, taking care not to snip the tabs off!

Glue one of the yellow half-circles into the top of the template and one on the bottom.

Leave for a few minutes for the glue to dry.
6. Folding the template
Next, it's time to fold. Fold alternately along the horizontal lines (like a zig-zag).

Open the sun to reveal the solar eclipse stages inside. Bring the two halves together again to hide them.

Optional: Add some rays to the outside of the sun using yellow or orange pipe cleaners/fuzzy sticks. Use tape to secure them in place.

Print and go option

I sell simple print-and-go templates as an engaging alternative to the craft above. Sequence a total or annular (ring of fire) eclipse with the stage names or short descriptions. The finished foldouts can be glued into an interactive science notebook for future reference by children and they're a fun alternative to a worksheet!
You can buy the templates in my TeacherPayTeachers store here.

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Solar eclipse foldable science craft activity for kids - Wonder at the World

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Full directions with a video link to show you step-by-step how to make a solar eclipse foldable science craft for kids.

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Engaging in STEM activities related to solar eclipses can be an exciting way for children to learn about astronomy, physics, and the natural world. These activities not only educate them about the science behind solar eclipses but also foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

So, the next time a solar eclipse graces the sky, consider trying out these hands-on projects with your young astronomers. It's a fantastic way to make learning about the cosmos an unforgettable experience.

Want more engaging activities to teach about the solar eclipse?

Check out our Astronomy STEM Centers!Itincludes 15 hands-on centers to teach about the sun, moon phases, constellations, and more!

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Solar Eclipse STEM Challenge and Activities - Carly and Adam

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Solar eclipses are awe-inspiring celestial events that captivate people's imagination and curiosity. They offer a unique opportunity for educators and parents to engage children in hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities that not only make learning fun but also d

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Why People Get So Excited About An Eclipse

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Why People Get So Excited About An Eclipse

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Why people get so excited about a total solar eclipse

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Solar Eclipse - Earth Moon and Sun Craft

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If you are watching the next solar eclipse with your students, adding an extra layer of protection alongside those eclipse safety glasses may be necessary! Keep reading to learn how to make them and get more Solar Eclipse Ideas for the Classroom. Check out these related posts: Watching a solar eclipse with your students can ...

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Whether you are preparing for a specific eclipse or just learning about them, this video list is for you! Check out our teacher-approved videos for preschool, kindergarten, and first grade students! (All content and video appropriate or otherwise noted!) Not sure what time to watch the eclipse fro…

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Includes lessons, activities, & a hat