AAS, Big Kid Science launch free Totality 5.0 eclipse app

The American Astronomical Society and Big Kid Science have released version 5.0 of the free Totality app for iOS and Android ahead of the August 2026 total solar eclipse visible from Greenland, Iceland and Spain. The update adds expanded eclipse maps through 2050, multilingual support and new tools for planning safe viewing. Why it matters: - The Totality app is meant to help people find, plan for and safely observe total solar eclipses from their current location or ahead of travel. - Version 5.0 extends eclipse coverage through 2050, giving users planning tools for the next major eclipse cycle, including the August 2045 coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in the U.S. - The free, ad-free app adds multilingual support in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, widening access for eclipse viewers. What happened: - The American Astronomical Society and Big Kid Science released Totality 5.0 as a free app for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. - The update arrives ahead of the next total solar eclipse visible from Greenland, Iceland and Spain in August 2026. - The app is available in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, with the language selected automatically based on the device setting. The details: - Totality includes interactive maps of recent total solar eclipses since 2017 and upcoming eclipses through 2050. - The upcoming 2027 total solar eclipse features the longest duration of totality in the remainder of the 21st century. - The maps are based on code by eclipse expert Xavier Jubier. - Users can zoom, scroll and tap on a map to view eclipse circumstances at any location. - The app can generate custom information using a phone’s GPS for the user’s current location. - Totality can identify the nearest location where totality can be seen and the location along the path where totality lasts the longest. - Where possible, the app also provides driving directions to the eclipse’s central line. - The app includes information on how, when and why solar eclipses occur, along with guidance on safe and enjoyable viewing. - Version 5.0 adds an upgraded user interface, a revised user guide, and new Quick Start and How to Use screens. - Big Kid Science created the app as a public service, and the AAS sponsors it. - The update was funded by the AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force with support from NASA and the National Science Foundation. Between the lines: - The timing is aimed at people preparing for the 2026 eclipse in Europe and the broader run of future eclipses that could draw international travel. - Making the app free with no ads lowers barriers for casual observers, educators and travelers who want quick planning tools. - The emphasis on maps, GPS and driving directions suggests the app is designed as a practical field guide, not just an educational resource. What’s next: - Users can download Totality 5.0 now on iOS and Android. - The app will automatically surface in the user’s device language when one of the supported languages is set. - Future eclipse planning will continue to rely on the app’s expanded map coverage through 2050. The bottom line: - Totality 5.0 combines eclipse education and trip-planning tools in a free, multilingual app timed for the next major total solar eclipse.