Mexican Solar Eclipses of 2023 and 2024

The Mexican National Eclipse Committee was formed to promote safe observation and bring scientific knowledge to the public during the solar eclipses visible from Mexico: the annular eclipse of October 14, 2023, and the total eclipse of April 8, 2024.

Composed of astronomers, communicators, and educators from institutions such as INAOE, UNAM, and UANL, the Committee organized various outreach and training activities. These included the virtual lecture series "Toward the Eclipses of 2023 and 2024," the design of infographics on safety and observation, and the publication of articles and four science outreach supplements in collaboration with media outlets such as La Jornada de Oriente and Reforma.

A key effort was inclusivity, with materials translated into 19 Mexican indigenous languages ​​(including Mam, Tojolabal, and Yaqui) and videos developed in Mexican Sign Language. The Committee also focused on teacher training, conducting large-scale hybrid workshops in all 32 states of the country and training more than 5,000 teachers. Additionally, an asynchronous course developed with the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP) reached over 15,000 participants.

While the number of people who witnessed the eclipses is difficult to quantify, the impact on teachers and underserved communities was significant. This effort solidified a broad national volunteer network ready to collaborate on future astronomical events, underscoring the need for appropriate funding to maximize the social benefits of these events.