ODAC5

Solar eclipses are among the most awe-inspiring celestial phenomena. Their rarity, predictability and dramatic visual impact make them exceptional opportunities to engage the general public with both the wonders of the cosmos and the scientific process trying to make sense of the Universe we live in. The awe of a total eclipse can be transformational for many people experiencing the event, driving curiosity towards STEM topics along with a sense of sharing, reflection, and a prosocial attitude. Besides, the buzz of a total eclipse can be leveraged to extend the engagement into areas where the eclipse is only partial too, making the number of people covered much much bigger.

This session aims at collecting experiences from past solar eclipses, especially the one that will cross parts of Europe on 12 August 2026, showcasing outreach activities, educational resources, communication strategies, and evaluation outcomes. We encourage participants to share best practices, challenges encountered and lessons learnt for future efforts. The discussion will also serve as a forward-looking platform to coordinate continental-scale outreach in preparation for the total solar eclipse that will cross Europe, Africa, and Asia next year, on 2 August 2027. By fostering collaboration among educators, researchers, science communicators and institutions, we seek to maximize the scientific, educational and societal impact of these extraordinary celestial events.