solar eclipse Archives

Total Solar Eclipse 2026: Turn It Into an Unforgettable Homeschool Lesson

July 27, 2026 by Ultimate Homeschool Leave a Comment

The Total Solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026

Updated for the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse. This episode first aired around an earlier eclipse, and the wonder is just as real today. On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will pass over Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, while families across the northern United States (from Alaska to North Carolina) will see a partial eclipse—so plan for safe viewing rather than totality here at home. For a full family viewing guide with eye-safety tips and a simple pinhole-projector activity, see our Solar Eclipse 2026 homeschool guide.

Total Solar Eclipse ~ And more. Episode 512

Every day is the best day, or it can be if you have the mindset that you are looking for miracles in your life. In 2026, a total solar eclipse is just one of the exciting things happening in your world. How can we keep the momentum going? In this podcast, Felice shares the idea of finding the gems in your life and celebrating them with your family.

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So, is this going to be your best year ever? If you said, “Yes!” that is great, but if you said, “No.” then Why not? Take a moment to consider your answer.

I think we can make this the best year. Even if you’re listening to this in January in March, or maybe even in December, you can begin each day anew. The first thing is our mindset. And, it is catching. If we are enthusiastic, our kids will be enthusiastic. (Tell 1/2 sheet of paper and a pencil – pop quiz).

So, our attitude is important, but so is our ability to find those gems in our lives that are often overlooked. It doesn’t take money, but it does take research. This year, there are some awe-inspiring events. However, we will focus on one that is sure to catch the headlines, and that is the Solar Eclipse.

What is a Solar Eclipse:

A total solar eclipse is something that happens very rarely, and when it does happen, it is something many people will be excited about seeing, some traveling to the locations where they can get the best view. A total solar eclipse is when the moon passes over the sun in such a way and angle that it blocks the sunlight from our view. First, let me warn as as you already know (and please let your children know) that it is always dangerous to look at the sun. Never look at the sun!

The solar eclipse will not happen again for another twenty years, so it’s really exciting to be aware of this one. The solar eclipse or the total solar eclipse is going to happen on August 12, 2026, and the next one won’t happen until August 23, 2044.

The shielding of the sun by the moon moving, what looks like over the top, will show the outer part of the sun, which is called the corona.

What is notable about this total solar eclipse?

The moon will cover the sun.
It will turn the sky into night in certain areas of the earth; there is a path from Mexico to northeast Canada. The shadow (or area of darkness) across America is about 124 miles wide. Again, this happens on August 12, 2026
You must wear protective eyewear to view the eclipse, and please buy it from a reputable source. Your eyes are important.
If you wear eye protection as the eclipse is happening, it won’t work when there is a total eclipse. What does this mean? Well, it will be dark, so if you have protective eyewear to keep out the harmful rays of the sun, it will be too dark to see the eclipse when it is totally over the sun.
The moon over the sun will darken the sky, so it looks like it is night – well, early evening.
You will be able to see the Sun’s corona (the outer part of the sun.) This is the only time (total solar eclipse) that you can see the corona.
If you live in the direct path of the eclipse, it will last for around four minutes. *this is two times as long as the last total eclipse in 2017 over North America.

What is the difference between an annual solar eclipse and a total solar eclipse?

That is what I wanted to know, and I learned that during an annular eclipse, it is only safe to view it with protective glasses because you can still see a portion of the sun, and looking at the sun, as we’ve already established, is dangerous. So, you can see a ring of the sun around the moon. However, a total eclipse means that the moon completely covers the sun (totally) and hides the sun from view so just the corona or outer edges show.

You will want to:

Check out a map to see where the track of the total eclipse will pass. (Here is the link to download a copy of the map from the NASA website).
See if you are anywhere near the path; if so plan to watch it live.
Get a pair of safety glasses (from a reputable source) to watch the eclipse.
If you are nowhere near the eclipse, watch it streaming live on the NASA website – we did this some time ago with a solar eclipse here.

It is fun to study things that are happening in our world.

Resources for Solar Eclipse:

Eclipses in 2026

Interactive Map for the eclipse of 2026 here.

This is a wonderful opportunity to study the stars and add it to your homeschool curriculum. And, as Psalm 19: summarizes so beautifully – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Amen! enjoy.

Bring more wonder to your homeschool

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Filed Under: Vintage Homeschool Moms Tagged With: homeschool science, solar eclipse, Vintage Homeschool moms

Total Solar Eclipse 2026: A Homeschool Guide

July 23, 2026 by Ultimate Homeschool Leave a Comment

Updated for the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026.

On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will sweep across Greenland, Iceland, and Spain—and here in the United States, families from Alaska all the way to North Carolina will be treated to a partial eclipse (look up in the early afternoon along the East Coast). It’s another one of those rare, breathtaking moments when we get to step outside with our children and watch the heavens declare the glory of God. The reflection below first went out during an eclipse years ago, and it’s every bit as true today—so we’re sharing it again, with a few simple ways to make the most of this one with your homeschool.

Solar Eclipse Shows The Glory of God

The solar eclipse has been talked about in anticipation for years and not just by scientists. Many people are planning to watch, some on the optimal path to witness this event, first-hand and others virtually.

I remember watching the lunar eclipse as a child. My dad was an astronomy buff. He loved the ocean – he was a sailor as a young man, but he equally loved the sky. “In the sea, you sometimes see the fury of God, but in the stars, you see His glory,” he’d say.

He took us to see the Apollo 11, the spaceship that had a lunar rover that landed on the moon. We’d get up early in the morning to watch the spot in the sky which was the rocket(s) take off — depending on which Apollo spacecraft we could see from our house. We lived in the middle of the state of Florida, yet visited the Kennedy Space Center many times. The space center is even hosting a viewing of the solar eclipse.

However, even with the science behind it, and the excitement in anticipation of the event, what really comes to my mind when I consider this event is Almighty God. The glory of God to be exact. In the vastness of the night sky, we realize how small we are–just a dot on the planet.

Psalm 19: 1 summarizes it beautifully – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

God created lunar and solar eclipses – they are a handiwork of His wonderful creation. We see the vastness of the earth dwarfed by the sun – that allows our earth flourish. Think about this; the sun is in the perfect place, not too far away and not too close. The same with the moon. The solar eclipse demonstrates how far away the sun is, in comparison to our planet.

For me, the idea of witnessing the eclipse safely is important. Even if I had the safety, approved glasses I would not look at the sun during this eclipse. My eyesight is too precious – as well as that of my family. This is how I recommend watching the solar eclipse:

Nasa Live streaming: Nasa live streaming
See how the solar eclipse will look in your area – add your zip code to learn more
If you still want to see the eclipse here are instructions from a trusted source, NASA

Thanks to the wonderful universe that God created, we can witness these types of miraculous occurrences. Observer them safely!

Watching the 2026 Eclipse With Your Kids

A few simple ways to turn eclipse day into a memorable homeschool lesson:

Protect their eyes. During a partial eclipse the sun is never fully covered, so everyone needs ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses—regular sunglasses will not protect their eyes. Never look directly at the sun without them.
Make a pinhole projector. Poke a small hole in a piece of cardstock and let sunlight pass through onto a second sheet or the sidewalk. You’ll see a tiny crescent sun—a safe, hands-on science lesson in minutes.
Wonder out loud together. Ask your children how the moon can perfectly cover a sun 400 times its size, what an eclipse might have felt like long ago, and how such precision points us to a Creator who orders the heavens.

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: homeschool science, solar eclipse, Vintage Homeschool moms

Astronomical Events ~ Total Solar Eclipse

April 4, 2024 by mediaangels Leave a Comment

📚 Part of our guide: Homeschool Science

Astronomical Events and Homeschooling ~ Episode 521

Are you ready for an astronomical event, the total solar eclipse? Well, today (April 8, 2024) is the day if you are listening to this podcast in real time! It is a long-awaited event that has received a lot of press coverage. However, it is one among the many that happen in our skies.

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The go-to website for all things astronomical is the NASA website. The direct link to the total eclipse is here.

Here is a great poster for your homeschool about the different types of solar eclipses Earth and Space Science Exploring Solar Eclipses Educational Infographic -MediaAngels.com

In the many years of homeschooling, I found that real learning took place when the children were able to experience the events of the day. Whether the events took place before we went on a field trip or after we watched a documentary. Often, we would research first and then follow-up visits whenever possible. When we did a rock study, we coupled it with a family trip to the mountains. This took us to states that actually had good samples of rocks to collect. Florida, where we live, is great for visits to the beach, sedimentary studies, flora and fauna, birds (especially waterfowl), and swamp-type activities. We were card-carrying members of all of the local nature centers and visited the planetarium on a regular basis.

I took astronomy in college, and let me tell you, it was not an easy science unless you excelled in math. I thought I was decent, but back in the day our telescopes, while powerful, still had to be adjusted to keep the target in our viewer. I loved it but learned early on that I’d keep it a hobby. The kids had telescopes, and these were not the best; we found that a high-powered pair of binoculars worked best, and a very dark night sky.

As a homeschool parent, I always capitalized on “real-time” events with my family. Even if you are not in the direct path of the eclipse, there are so many activities you can do as a family. Here are some ideas that you can follow to get the most out of real-life learning.

Call off your regular school activities and study the path of the total eclipse.
If you are on the path, be sure to get safe eyewear so you can view the eclipse safely. Here is a list of safety guidelines: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/
Have the children keep a journal of the event. Write down things that you learned about the eclipse and where it traveled, and have the children draw a map of its path. You can find this on the Nasa.gov website here – https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/
Research other astronomical events coming this year and the next.
Create a 3-D model for the younger children with the planets and the solar system.

Other Astronomical Events:

The planets. Often the planets can be seen in the night sky. Set up a time monthly when you check your area to see what planets you can see with a high-powered set of binoculars.
Upcoming launches and landings, the happening of our space program here.
Be aware of pseudo-science. For example, when talking about comets, the “Oort Cloud” is often cited as an example, as the claims are that there are billions of comets within its realm. The problem is there is no evidence that the Oort cloud even exists! Here is a great article here
This is an older post about the eclipse – but there are some great activities for kids here.

Other Phenomenon – Astronomical Event of Warning?

Whenever there are astronomical events there are many who share things that might cause you to pause, such as religious chastisement and the like. Here is the thing: as a Christian, I believe that we need to look at every day as if it is our last and live life with God’s grace to the fullest. We need to err on the side of caution always, and be prepared, but do not allow gloom your peace to be disrupted by dire warnings. Recently I was presented with a video from a fairly trusted source on YouTube, and as I listened to this video it did seem that chastisement was imminent.

One of the reported “signs” of chastisement was that the path of the eclipse would go through 7 towns named Nineveh – if you know your Bible, Jonah the prophet was sent to Nineveh to warn them about impending doom if they did not repent. Everyone from the King on down did repent and turn back to God and their town was spared. However, the total eclipse will not go through 7 towns of Nineveh – but it will go through two, in Indiana and Ohio, if this blog/map is correct. See the link here.

Here is another interactive map with the Nineveh listed.

The last eclipse and this one intersect to form a cross at some point near Missouri. We must always remember that God is merciful, slow to anger, and compassionate, (Jonah 4:2)

The main thing to remember is that we can use everything as a teaching moment for our children. I pray that you found this podcast informative! And please share it with a friend.