On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse was visible across the continental U.S. for the first time since 1918. The STAR Net Library Eclipse Project enabled an estimated 6 million people to safely observe the event, thanks to the participation of libraries nationwide. STAR Net was able to provide over 2.1 million solar-viewing glasses. In total, libraries organized approximately 35,000 science programs leading up to and during the eclipse, all using resources curated by STAR Net.

An annular and total solar eclipse crossed North America on, respectively, Saturday, October 14, 2023 and Monday, April 8, 2024. STAR Net’s Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) program played a key role in these events by providing 5.6 million pairs of safe solar-viewing glasses to 14,953 libraries. Additionally, the program distributed 207 solar science facilitation kits to state and territorial libraries and conducted 78 in-person solar science training workshops, benefiting over 2,100 public library staff.