Why We Created the Fin Whale Eclipse Project (After 500,000 Glasses in 2024)
We Didn’t Plan to Do This Again
After the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse, we thought we had done something special.
Through the Monarch Butterfly Eclipse Project, we helped distribute over 500,000 pairs of solar eclipse glasses, while supporting conservation, education, and community programs.
It was a complete project.
Or at least, we thought it was.
What Changed
As we stepped back from 2024 and began looking ahead to the August 12, 2026 solar eclipse, something stood out.
This eclipse didn’t just cross Europe.
👉 It followed a path that closely mirrors the migration route of the North Atlantic fin whale.
From:
- the feeding grounds near Greenland and Iceland
- down along the coasts of the United Kingdom
- toward winter calving areas near Spain and mainland Europe
That alignment felt like more than coincidence.
It felt like an opportunity.
Why Fin Whales
Fin whales are the second-largest animals on Earth.
They are powerful, fast, and largely unseen by most people.
Historically, they were hunted to the brink of extinction.
Today, they are still vulnerable — and their survival depends on the health of our oceans.
For us, this mattered.
Because this project isn’t just about watching something incredible in the sky.
👉 It’s about connecting that moment to something real here on Earth.
What We Learned in 2024
The Monarch project taught us a lot.
Not just about demand or logistics — but about impact.
We saw how a simple product, when connected to a purpose, could:
- support conservation efforts
- fund research
- contribute to local charities
- engage schools and communities
And we saw how people responded to that.
They didn’t just want to watch the eclipse.
👉 They wanted to be part of something meaningful.
Why We’re Doing This Again
The Fin Whale Eclipse Project builds directly on that experience.
But this time, we’re:
- focused on Europe and the UK
- expanding our conservation partnerships
- connecting the eclipse to ocean protection
- building a broader community and educational impact
At its core, the goal is simple:
👉 help people safely experience the eclipse
👉 while contributing to something bigger than the moment itself
A Project Led by the Next Generation
Like the Monarch project, this initiative is youth-led.
The same group of young women who helped drive the 2024 project are continuing to play a central role — helping shape communication, outreach, and the overall direction of the project.
That matters.
Because this isn’t just about a single event.
👉 It’s about building awareness and responsibility for the future.
What This Means for 2026
The August 12, 2026 solar eclipse will be one of the most significant astronomical events in Europe in years.
Millions of people will look up.
Our goal is to make sure that:
- they do it safely
- they are prepared
- and they understand they are part of something larger
Conservation Comes First
From the beginning, this project has been built around impact.
We are committed to:
- donating a portion of proceeds to whale conservation
- supporting environmental partners
- contributing to research and community programs
Because protecting the oceans isn’t optional.
It’s essential — for nature and for humankind.
From 2024 to 2026
The Monarch Butterfly Eclipse Project showed what was possible.
The Fin Whale Eclipse Project is about taking that further.
👉 more reach
👉 more impact
👉 more connection
Be Part of It
The eclipse will come and go in a matter of minutes.
What we build around it can last much longer.
If you want to learn more, prepare safely, or be part of the project:
👉 https://www.finwhaleeclipse.eu
The Fin Whale Eclipse Project
Connecting the path of the 2026 solar eclipse with the migration of the North Atlantic fin whale, this project brings together science, conservation, and community in a way that turns a moment into something meaningful.
