Why every solar eclipse viewing event needs a disco ball
Journal article, 2026
Solar eclipses offer unparalleled opportunities for public engagement in astronomy. Large groups of people often gather to view eclipses, and these events require affordable and easy-to-use tools to safely observe the Sun. One unique way to observe a solar eclipse is by using a disco ball. Here, we present an analysis of the experiences of educators who used a disco ball as a solar projector during various public outreach events. Through a survey conducted shortly after the April 2024 total solar eclipse and the March 2025 partial solar eclipse, we collected data on the use, engagement, and perceived educational value of a disco ball projector from 31 individual events. The results suggest that disco balls were not only affordable and safe, but
also popular and educational.
also popular and educational.
eclipses
public engagement
astronomy
solar physics
Author
Valerie Rapson
State University of New York
Alexander Pietrow
Leibniz Association
Robert Cumming
Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Onsala Space Observatory
Jill Burns
Glen Grove Elementary School
Ali Cotton
Yashashree Jadhav
Stevens Institute of Technology
Maria D. Kazachenko
University of Colorado
National Solar Observatory
Casper Pietrow
Leiden University
Livia Pietrow
Leiden University
Dennis Schatz
National Science Teaching Association
Elliot Severn
Sacred Heart University
Sundar Srinivasan
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
William Thornburgh
Eastern Kentucky University
Andrea Warkentin
Round Rock Public Library
Hayley Yasui
Carden School of Fresno
Communicating Astronomy with the Public Journal (CAPjournal)
1996-5621 (ISSN)
Vol. 19 2 1-22Infrastructure
Onsala Space Observatory
Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)
Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Cosmology
DOI
10.5281/zenodo.17181556