An innovative app, tailored to enhance your observation of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, has risen to prominence on the App Store. Titled simply “The Eclipse App,” it has amassed over 140,000 lifetime downloads on both iOS and Android platforms. This app serves as a comprehensive tool for experiencing the celestial event, providing features such as cloud cover forecasts, precise timing for totality at your specific location, and details on local events, parks, and viewing sites in your vicinity.
Developed through a collaboration between The Planetary Society, an independent space interest organization, and The Eclipse Company, a technology firm established during the 2017 Great American Eclipse, the app originated from the need to facilitate widespread access to total solar eclipses. Initially, the companies released a user-friendly eclipse map to assist individuals in locating optimal viewing spots for the annual eclipse on October 14, 2023.
Launched in February in the U.S. and Canada, The Eclipse App generates revenue via in-app purchases, offering users the option to access a live stream for $3. Recent data from app intelligence firm Appfigures indicates approximately 9.8K paying users as of yesterday. The app gained significant traction on the App Store, accumulating 35,000 downloads late on Sunday and ascending the charts. Although Google’s estimates are slightly delayed, the total downloads likely exceed 140,000 by now.
Currently leading its category (Travel) and ranking 9th Overall in the U.S. App Store, as well as 8th in its category on Google Play, The Eclipse App has achieved these milestones primarily through organic searches, rather than Apple Search Ads campaigns.
Feedback on the App Store is predominantly positive, with 40 5-star reviews compared to 22 1-star reviews, according to Appfigures. However, there appears to be some dissatisfaction among Android users.
The app pledges to offer users the opportunity to explore U.S. states and Canadian provinces along the path of totality, along with community events in search states. Additionally, it features a timer to indicate the exact moment of totality for your location, enabling you to don your eclipse glasses and witness the phenomenon. Users can also access local weather forecasts, subscribe to events, and explore nearby points of interest. Parking information for numerous events is also provided.
