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Watch an Animated Video on Solar Eclipses

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Watch an Animated Video on Solar Eclipses

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Start with an engaging animated video about solar eclipses tailored for young learners. This will help them visualize what a solar eclipse looks like in a simple and fun way.

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Solar Eclipse - Solar Eclipse video for kids

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Guide students in creating a simple pinhole projector using cardboard. This activity not only teaches them about the science behind eclipses but also about safety during solar eclipse viewing.

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Use classroom computers to explore interactive websites that simulate solar eclipse phenomena. This allows students to see how the moon covers the sun to cause an eclipse.

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eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/solar.html

2020 December 14 Total Solar Eclipse
NASA main page for 2020 December 14 Total Solar Eclipse
2020 December 14 Solar Eclipse Flyer
2020 Diciembre 14 Eclipse Solar en Espanol

Google Maps are not working at present; we are working on a replacement.

Solar Eclipses: Past and Future

The following links give information on all eclipses of the Sun and Moon from 2000 through the current year.

Dates, maps and details for 5000 years of solar eclipses can be found in:

The Javascript Solar Eclipse Explorer lets you calculate the visibility of solar eclipses from any city for hundreds of years in the past and future:

Search for solar eclipses by date interval, type, and magnitude, and plot the results on Google maps:

Other useful links to past and future solar eclipses are as follows.

Decade Solar Eclipse Tables:

Solar Eclipses on Google Maps:

World Atlas of Solar Eclipse Maps: Index Page

North America Solar Eclipse Maps: 1851-2100 - Index Page

NASA Solar Eclipse Bulletins - NASA Technical Publications for Eclipses from 1994 to 2010

Solar Eclipses: 2011 - 2020

The table below lists every solar eclipse from 2011 through 2020. Click on any of the following values to link to additional information or maps:

Calendar Date - link to global map showing eclipse visibility

TD of Greatest Eclipse - link to animation of the Moon's penumbral and umbral shadows across Earth

Eclipse Type - link to Google Map of eclipse path

Saros Series - link to table of all eclipses in this the Saros cycle

Central Duration - link to table of geographic coordinates for the path of a total, annular or hybrid eclipse

Geographic Region of Eclipse Visibility - link to detailed description of an eclipse from RASC Observer's Handbook

The Key to Solar Eclipse Table contains a detailed description of each item in the table.
Geographic abbreviations (used above): n = north, s = south, e = east, w = west, c = central
Decade Tables of Solar Eclipses

Each link in the following table displays a page containing 10 years of eclipses. Every eclipse has links of global maps, interactive Google maps, animations, path coordinate tables, and Saros tables.

Twenty Year Solar Eclipse Path Tables (w/Google Maps)

Each of the following links displays a table containing 20 years of total, annular and hybrid eclipses. Each eclipse offers links to a global map, shadow animation, interactive Google map, path coordinates table, and Saros table.

Five Millennium Catolog of Solar Eclipses

Each link in the following table displays a web page containing 100 years of eclipses. Every eclipse has links of global maps, central paths plotted on Google Maps, Saros series tables, and Besselian elements.

These tables are part of the Five Millennium Catalog of Solar Eclipses: -1999 to +3000

Maps of Solar Eclipse Paths

The World Atlas of Solar Eclipse Paths features maps showing the paths of all total, annular and hybrid eclipses. Each map in the atlas covers a 20-year period. The atlas spans five millennia from -1999 to +3000 (2000 BCE to 3000 CE).

For eclipse maps covering other decades, see World Atlas of Solar Eclipse Paths.

Solar Eclipse Catalogs

Solar Eclipses - Special Interest

Safe Eclipse Viewing and Photography

Special Features

Dedicated Solar Eclipse Web Pages

NASA Solar Eclipse Publications Online

The Five Millennium Canon of Solar Eclipses contains maps of every solar eclipse from -1999 to +3000 (2000 BCE to 3000 CE). The supplemental Five Millennium Catalog of Solar Eclipses contains 201 pages of tables giving details for each eclipse.

The Fifty Year Canon of Solar Eclipses contains maps of every solar eclipse from 1986 to 2035 along with path coordinate tables for all central eclipses.

NASA's Solar Eclipse Bulletins were special publications issued periodically that focused on major upcoming solar eclipses. Each bulletin contained detailed eclipse predictions, local circumstances, maps and climatological data along the eclipse path. The NASA eclipse bulletins ended with the 2010 eclipse bulletin.

Additional eclipse publications:

Reproduction of Eclipse Data

All eclipse calculations are by Fred Espenak, and he assumes full responsibility for their accuracy. Some of the information presented on this web site is based on data originally published in:

Fifty Year Canon of Solar Eclipses: 1986 - 2035
Five Millennium Canon of Solar Eclipses: -1999 to +3000 (2000 BCE to 3000 CE)
Five Millennium Catalog of Solar Eclipses: -1999 to +3000 (2000 BCE to 3000 CE)

Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment:

"Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA GSFC Emeritus"

For more information, see: NASA Copyright Information

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2020 December 14 Total Solar Eclipse NASA main page for 2020 December 14 Total Solar Eclipse 2020 December 14 Solar Eclipse Flyer 2020 Diciembre 14 Eclipse Solar en Espanol Google Maps are not working at present; we are working on a replacement.

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Teach students about the importance of eye safety during a solar eclipse. Use visuals to explain why looking directly at the sun is dangerous and what safe viewing methods are.

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Utilize library books specifically about solar eclipses for young readers. Read together as a class or assign as individual reading to encourage literacy and subject learning.

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An informative, yet whimsical 40-page children's guide to eclipses of the sun! This beautiful book comes with 2 safety-tested solar eclipse viewing glasses.

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Create a chart comparing and contrasting solar and lunar eclipses. This helps students understand the unique characteristics of each type of eclipse.

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Illustrate the different phases of a solar eclipse using diagrams. This visual aid can help students grasp the concept of partial, annular, and total solar eclipses.

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Build a simple 3D model to demonstrate the positions of the Earth, moon, and sun during a solar eclipse. Use items like balls and lamps to represent these celestial bodies.

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Read or listen to folktales and stories from various cultures about solar eclipses. This introduces a multicultural perspective to the scientific phenomenon.

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We're about to have an epic experience! A solar eclipse!! Solar eclipses are an amazing time to learn a little bit about the sun, the moon, the earth, and the paths they take as they orbit around each other. These 10 Solar Eclipse Activities are a fun way to add some creativity to the science.

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What is a Solar Eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth and creates a shadow with the sun's light. Three things have to be true to make solar eclipses occur: 1) There is a new moon which means the side of the moon lit by the sun is facing away from the earth. 2) The moon has to cross the path of the earth's orbit. And 3) The moon's location in its orbit must be in its closest position to the earth possible.

Here's a diagram of what's happening during an eclipse.

A total eclipse is when the sun is completely blocked by the moon. The path of totality is the area on earth where the full shadow occurs. Want to see if you'll get to see the total solar eclipse on August 21st, 2017? Here are some amazing maps of the US from NASA that show the path.

10 Solar Eclipse Activities for Kids

Since solar eclipses don't happen that often, it's fun to do an activity to celebrate and learn about the phenomenon. Here are some of my favorites.

How to Make Sure You Are Going to See the Solar Eclipse: It's going to be awesome! And you don't want to miss it. Check out these tips for making sure you are read and see as much of the eclipse as possible!

Printable Constellation Cards & Projector: During the eclipse, it will be so dark you can see the stars. Study up on your favorite constellations before the big event then see if you can spot them in the darkened sky!

Total Solar Eclipse Painted Paper Plates: This is a fun, quick craft you can do with the craft stash you have at home. Talk with your kids about how the moon and sun will seem like the same size while the moon passes in front of the sun for the few minutes we are able to see it!

How to get kids ready for, and excited about, the Great American Eclipse: There are so many things to do to prepare for the total American eclipse. This is the first time in 99 years that the eclipse will be seen from coast to coast!

Make a Pinhole Viewing Box to Safely Watch the Solar Eclipse: It's never a good idea to look directly at the sun. Making a pinhole box is a great way to view the solar eclipse while keeping your eyes safe.

More Solar Eclipse Activity Ideas

Solar Eclipse Craft for Kids: I love how easy it is to make this craft! Talk about the rotation of the moon around the Earth and how the sun will look during the total eclipse.

STEM Activity: Build a Pinhole Projector!: I do love a good DIY project! Grab a box from your recycling bin and make a projector to be able to see the sun safely.

Coffee Filter Solar Eclipse Craft: Coffee filters get a new twist! Make a solar eclipse craft during your study of the solar system and be ready to see the eclipse in real time.

How to Make a Pinhole Camera: If anyone is going to know about making a pinhole camera it's going to be NASA! Make your own in just a couple minutes for your next study of the sun.

Making a Pinhole Solar Eclipse Viewer: DIY and recycled viewers are so much fun for kids to make! Be sure to impress the importance of not looking at the sun to your kids when you venture outside on August 21st!

Astronomy for Kids: The Sun, Moon, and Earth: Make a model of the eclipse with a few balls and a flashlight for a fun activity even the littles can understand.

Eclipse Safety

As you've probably heard, it can be really hazardous to your eyes to look at the sun and the eclipse directly. So always protect them with special glasses or use viewers to indirectly see the eclipse. These glasses are certified ISO and CE certified to be sun safe.

Space Activities for Curious Kids

Make some gorgeous planets with a fun art process called felting in these Felted Ball Planets.

Look up at the Moon and then have fun with it closer to the Earth with one of these 10+ Fun Play and Learn Moon Activities.

Try a creative screen-free coding activity to inspire your young astronauts, too. Simply fill out the form below to have the Astronaut Color by Coding printable emailed to you.

Hands-on Space STEAM Fun for Kids

Join us as we explore SPACE with STEAM Explorers!! Kids will love making a DIY telescope, crafting a solar system, making the Earth orbit and rockets fly, and so much more! You'll love the helpful standards-based learning, printables, and tools that make STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, & math) exploration easy!
What's Inside the Space Ebook Unit Study by STEAM Explorers:
Inside every STEAM Explorers ebook are:

Projects:Hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math projects

Printables:Fun printables for independent learning and fun

Recipes:Delicious recipes that have a learning spin

Learning:Interesting reading that helps kids learn about our planet on every page

Activity Calendar:A helpful calendar to make adding STEAM to your day simple and fun.

Supplies List:A handy supplies list for the month that makes prep easy.

BONUS!A coupon to save 25% on a monthly STEAM Explorers subscription. That's where you'll find a kid-safe online portal filled with helpful activity videos, teacher lesson plans, and more.

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10 Fun solar eclipse activities for kids like DIY viewers, crafts, learning activities and more. Plus learn what a solar eclipse is.

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Distribute worksheets that involve matching, coloring, and simple puzzles related to solar eclipses. These can serve as a fun review of the concepts learned.