NASA Makes Way For Total Solar Eclipse With Free-To-Download Posters
By Mikelle Leow, 04 Apr 2024
Images via various artists for NASA
NASA has released a series of captivating posters that will leave a total eclipse of space enthusiasts’ hearts. To celebrate the celestial spectacle crossing North America on April 8, 2024, the space agency has recruited four artists to commemorate the once-in-a-lifetime event in their own styles. To add more sunshine to your day, the artworks are free to use!
During the phenomenon, the moon will steal the sun’s spotlight, plunging a narrow path across the continent into darkness. This fleeting moment offers a rare glimpse of the mysterious solar corona, the faint wispy atmosphere surrounding our star.
Artwork by Tyler Nordgren for NASA
Astronomer and artist Tyler Nordgren wanted to encapsulate the urban experience of the eclipse. Unlike the 2017 sighting that primarily graced national parks, this one will be visible across major cities, giving over 30 million people a front-row seat. His visual, The Sun and Moon Align with You, channels a vintage travel poster vibe, subtly inviting viewers on a celestial adventure.
Artwork by Kristen Perrin for NASA
Inclusivity is at the heart of Kristen Perrin’s poster, Through the Eyes of NASA. As a multimedia specialist for NASA, Perrin’s design features people from all walks of life gazing skyward. Spherical shapes represent the moon and planets, while the skyline cleverly resembles an eye, a powerful reminder that the eclipse is a universal experience.
Artwork by Dongjae “Krystofer” Kim for NASA
Dongjae “Krystofer” Kim took a futuristic approach. Inspired by the idea of witnessing the eclipse from the moon, his poster uses a video of the lunar body’s shadow from a 2021 eclipse as a reference. It portrays the eclipse as a timeless event “beyond human scale,” a reminder that the celestial dance will continue long after we’re gone.
Artwork by Genna Duberstein for NASA
Science doesn’t have to be a serious affair! Not a single dark cloud can be seen in award-winning, Emmy-nominated multimedia producer Genna Duberstein’s fun take, Keep Looking Up—it captures the wholesomeness of witnessing an eclipse. Inspired by a “goofy, happy” photo of her parents excitedly sporting eclipse glasses in 2017, she used her dog as a model. The lighthearted piece is also available in coloring page form, inviting all ages to appreciate this elusive moment.
You can download these stellar posters in print and digital formats here.
During the experience, NASA’s WB-57 jet planes will be busy collecting crucial scientific data. Soaring at 50,000 feet, these high-altitude observatories will capture clear images and data invisible from the ground. Their extended flight time will also allow for more scientific measurements during totality. Such celebrations and efforts only come once in a blue moon!
[via Laughing Squid and NASA, images via NASA]