DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18432379
title: Eclipse Soundscapes 2023 Observer Role Data: Qualitative Observation Data Collected During the Annular Solar Eclipse on October 14, 2023

description: Dataset Overview:

This dataset contains qualitative multisensory observation data collected by volunteer scientists who participated in the Eclipse Soundscapes project as ES Observers during the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse. Observations were submitted using a structured online survey developed by the Eclipse Soundscapes team and administered via the Alchemer platform. Volunteer scientists recorded what they heard, saw, felt, and otherwise perceived during a minimum window of ten minutes before eclipse maximum, during eclipse maximum (approximately 3–5 minutes), and ten minutes after eclipse maximum, defined as annularity for locations within the path of annularity and as the time of greatest solar coverage for locations outside the path.

Observers were encouraged to take notes offline during the eclipse and enter their observations in the weeks following the event. The released datasets include cleaned, deidentified observation responses, open-ended notes, and participant-entered latitude and longitude, provided in CSV and XLSX formats. Survey fields related to participant identity, contact information, demographics, certificates, and program evaluation were removed prior to release. The full Observer survey instrument and documentation of data cleaning and deidentification procedures are included to support transparency and reuse.

This dataset complements instrumental soundscape data and supports qualitative and mixed-methods research on how solar eclipses are experienced across diverse environments and sensory modalities.

Description

What this record contains

This Zenodo record includes multisensory observation data collected by volunteer scientists who participated in the Eclipse Soundscapes project as ES Observers during the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse. The data were collected using a structured online survey developed by the Eclipse Soundscapes team and administered through the Alchemer platform.

This record includes:



The full ES Observer survey instrument

Cleaned observation datasets in CSV and XLSX formats

Documentation describing data cleaning and deidentification procedures

An archived compilation of the Eclipse Soundscapes Observer Role Training and Resources Manual (2023–2024)


ES Observer Training and Preparation Materials

ES Observers received role training and preparation materials through multiple channels in the months prior to the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse, including the Eclipse Soundscapes website, live and recorded training webinars, and time-relevant reminder emails distributed before and around eclipse day.

All training content delivered through these channels drew from the same core guidance and resources and was publicly available to participants throughout 2023. For long-term preservation and reuse, this web-, webinar-, and email-based guidance was compiled after the eclipse into the Eclipse Soundscapes Observer Role Training and Resources Manual (2023–2024). The manual is included in this record and is also available as a standalone Zenodo record for independent citation and reuse (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18633602).

The archived training materials document:



The ES Observer role, expectations, and participation requirements

How eclipse maximum was defined for annular and partial eclipse observers

Solar eclipse safety guidance aligned with NASA, AAS, NOAA, and NSF recommendations

Multisensory observation practices encouraged for qualitative data collection

Procedures for recording observation timing and participant-entered geographic coordinates

Field notes templates and submission guidance used during the 2023 eclipse


Including this compiled training documentation supports transparency and interpretability by allowing secondary users to understand how ES Observers were prepared, what observation practices were encouraged, and how qualitative observations were contextualized at the time of data collection.

Observation focus and timing

ES Observers documented what they experienced during the eclipse using multiple senses, including what they heard, saw, felt, smelled, or otherwise noticed in their surroundings. Observations focused on environmental and behavioral changes occurring around eclipse maximum.

Volunteer scientists were instructed to observe during:



Ten minutes before eclipse maximum

Eclipse maximum

Ten minutes after eclipse maximum


Eclipse maximum was defined as:



Annularity for observers within the path of annularity

The time of greatest solar coverage for observers outside the path


Observation process

To support presence during the eclipse event itself:



Observers were encouraged to take notes on paper or offline while observing

Observations were entered into the online survey several weeks after the eclipse


This approach minimized screen use during the eclipse while supporting thoughtful reflection and reporting.

Data included in the released datasets

The released datasets contain:



Observation-related survey question text

Volunteer scientist responses

Open-ended ES Observer notes

Participant-entered latitude and longitude


Location information was self-reported by volunteer scientists and entered either directly by the observer or with assistance from an adult, following survey guidance. No participant names are included in the released datasets.

Data not included in the released datasets

While the full ES Observer survey instrument is included for transparency, the following fields were removed prior to public release:



Participant identity and contact information

Demographic characteristics

Certificate-related fields

Program evaluation responses
description: Survey design and administration

Multisensory observation data were collected using a structured online survey developed by the Eclipse Soundscapes team for volunteer scientists participating as ES Observers. The survey was administered using the Alchemer platform and was designed to capture qualitative, experiential observations during the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse.

Observation guidance

ES Observers were instructed to:



Conduct observations outdoors when possible

Focus on a minimum observation window of ten minutes before, during, and after eclipse maximum

Record notes offline during the eclipse to remain present


Eclipse maximum was defined as annularity for observers within the path of annularity and as the time of greatest solar coverage for observers outside the path.

Data entry and processing

Following the eclipse:



Observers were given several weeks to enter observations into the online survey

Responses included structured and open-ended questions covering auditory, visual, tactile, and other sensory observations


Prior to public release:



Testing and preview submissions were removed

All personal identifiers, demographic fields, certificate fields, and evaluation responses were removed

Observation data were compiled into CSV and XLSX formats

Documentation describing the data cleaning and deidentification process is included in this record.


Following the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse, ES Observers were instructed to enter their qualitative observations into the Alchemer survey using notes recorded on eclipse day. Participants were asked to complete their submissions within two weeks of the eclipse.

To support participation and data completeness, reminder communications were sent to registered ES Observers during the submission window. The Alchemer survey remained open until November 4, 2023, after which data collection was closed and data processing began.
description: Data Usage and Interpretation Notes

Appropriate uses

This dataset is best suited for:



Identifying themes and patterns in multisensory eclipse experiences

Qualitative or mixed-methods research

Contextual interpretation alongside instrumental soundscape or environmental datasets

Inclusive science education, public engagement, and accessibility-focused research


Interpretation guidance

The data in this record are qualitative, self-reported, and experiential. They are not intended to function as precise measurements of environmental change, species abundance, or behavioral frequency.

Users should note that:



Observer responses reflect individual perception and local context

Variation in observation duration, sensory focus, and reporting style is expected

Participant-entered geographic coordinates may vary in accuracy and resolution


Users should avoid treating individual responses as standardized measurements or using the data for fine-scale spatial or temporal inference beyond the resolution supported by the dataset. When interpreted appropriately, these observations provide insight into how solar eclipses are experienced across sensory modalities and environments and how volunteer scientists engage with short-duration natural phenomena.
description: General Eclipse Soundscapes Project Information

The Eclipse Soundscapes Project (ES) was a NASA Volunteer Science project funded by NASA Science Activation that studied how solar eclipses affect life on Earth during the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse and the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse. ES revisited a historic study from the early 1900s showing that animals respond to eclipses and used modern technology and public participation to expand that research. 

Eclipse Soundscapes was an enterprise of ARISA Lab, LLC and was supported by NASA award No. 80NSSC21M0008. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in materials from the project were those of the authors and did not necessarily reflect the views of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.