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Abstract The interactions between people and nature are complex, with research suggesting that people often report feeling awe in nature, including in relation to eclipses. Less is known about if feelings of awe in nature can drive science outcomes. The current study aimed to understand the relationship between observing a total eclipse in nature, awe and science identity and belonging for individuals involved in a participatory science study of animal behaviour during the 2024 eclipse, with participants completing a retrospective post‐test of awe, science identity and belonging. The study included participatory scientists ( N = 528, Ages: 8–80 years of age) who observed the eclipse while recording observations of animal behaviour during the eclipse. Participants who experienced the total eclipse, as compared to a partial eclipse, reported higher awe scores and greater changes in animal behaviour were associated with higher awe levels. Awe was a significant predictor of changes in science identity and belonging, with indirect effects from experiencing a total eclipse and observing changes in animal behaviour through awe. Findings affirm the power of natural phenomena in driving science identity and belonging for those engaged in participatory science projects in nature. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Mulvey et al. (Tue,) studied this question.