Frequently Asked Questions

The Great North American Eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024.

When will the app be available for download?

The app is available to download on the Apple Store and Google Play Store!

What is citizen science?

Citizen science is a collaborative style of research involving volunteers from the general public. The contributions of these “citizen scientists” help researchers collect and analyze large datasets. Citizenship is NOT a requirement.

You do not need to be a scientist to participate. Our aim is to involve as large and diverse a group of SunSketchers as possible.

Where do I have to be on the eclipse day?

Somewhere along or close to the line of totality.

How do I know if you already have enough people in my area?

The beauty of SunSketcher is that every observation, whether close to others or all by yourself (preferably at least 10 yards from other SunSketchers), will make a valuable contribution to the project. So, go to the best viewing location for you. That said, we would especially encourage you to use your app in a location that is a few miles away from the eclipse centerline. Such locations will give additional viewpoints, though you may lose just a few seconds (out of 4 minutes) of totality by doing this.

Will I be able to watch the eclipse at the same time that I'm using SunSketcher?

YES!! In fact, we encourage you to view the eclipse on your own (with appropriate safety precautions at appropriate times) while SunSketcher is running on your phone. The scientific quality of the images obtained will be best if the phone is left untouched throughout the few minutes between second and third contact. The app will alert you when it is finished recording and ready for you to use the phone again.

What do I get for participating in SunSketcher?

You get to tell your friends and colleagues that you helped create a massive database that scientists used to measure the shape of our nearest star!

Will my photos stay on my phone after the app uploads them to you?

They do indeed! The photos will be saved locally, as well as shared to our server.

Why should I participate in SunSketcher?

The unique aspect of SunSketcher is that everyone with a phone can make a valuable contribution to a state-of-the-art science project. No special equipment is required (just a smartphone). And, if you register as a SunSketcher, we will add your name to the list. You might even get mentioned as a Guinness World Record Holder.

How do I contribute to this research?

Download the SunSketcher app and on the day of the eclipse (April 8, 2024) follow the in-app instructions.

How will this project contribute to heliophysics research?

We are aiming to create the first database of images, which will allow the Sun’s shape to be precisely determined to within a few parts per million. Just as the precise shape of the Earth’s ocean surface allows us to determine flows inside the Earth, the SunSketcher database will allow us to study flows in the solar interior. In addition, knowing the precise shape of the Sun allows its gravitational effects on the planets to be precisely determined, and so to test different theories of gravity, including General Relativity!

Is there a way I can participate in or contribute to the data analysis portion of the project?

After the eclipse, look for updates to our website for answers to this question.

Check this out!

As an aside, we love this comic! And we agree: most people, scientists included, don’t really do science during eclipses. They just soak in the experience. But, Sunsketcher is different—the goals are 100% scientific. Of course, that's not to say we won't be enjoying this "big moment for the sky" ourselves. :)

"Eclipse Science" | https://xkcd.com/1877

What does the SunSketcher app do? How does it work?

When in the eclipse path, our app is preprogrammed to take a series of photographs of the totality at the appropriate time. With user consent, these images will be sent to our database along with the time and location at which they were taken.

Is the app available for both Android and iOS?

The SunSketcher app is being developed for both Android & iOS phones.

What kind of smartphone do I need?

We are working to make SunSketcher as compatible with as many phone types/operating systems (both Android and iOS) as possible. However, it is possible that SunSketcher may not work perfectly on your phone. If so, we apologize.

How good does my smartphone camera need to be?

SunSketcher is designed to use your smartphone camera just as it is. Just turn on the app and let it go!

Do I need an eclipse filter?

No. However, both filtered and unfiltered photos are equally valuable.

Where do I get a filter?

Any set of ISO 12312-2:2015 certified eclipse viewing glasses are made of the same filter material you should use. These are available at a number of online retailers, such as Amazon.

What kind of images will be produced?

To be honest, they may look rather unexciting--just a few bright Bailey Bead dots somewhere in the field of view. But don't be discouraged! These few bright dots (or even the "absence" of the bright dots from your particular location) are exactly what we need. If you are planning on taking more professional eclipse pictures (e.g., with a DSLR camera), we encourage you to visit our friends at Eclipse Camera and Eclipse Megamovie. If you are planning on using a small telescope, please visit our friends at Citizen C.A.T.E..

Will you show me the pictures my phone takes with your app?

Yes! In fact, the pictures will be shown on the phone screen and will only be uploaded after you have given approval for us to use them.

Will my photos be credited if used in the research analysis or publications?

To preserve your privacy, the App will only upload the submitted images, the time at which they were taken, and the geographic location of the phone. The App will show you the images to be uploaded, and you will have to give your permission for the upload. The uploaded images will be a matter of public record, but the App will NOT upload any “personally identifiable information,” such as the phone number or IP address. Since this is a collaborative effort and every contributed record will be of value to our research, we will collectively credit ALL participants in Sunsketchers in any publications that result from this project.