July 29, 2026, Mountain View, CA -- Although the path of totality for the August 12 solar eclipse is thousands of miles away from California, Bay Area audiences can experience the event in a truly unique manner: set to a live musical performance by the International Space Orchestra (ISO), the world's first orchestra composed of astronauts, scientists, engineers, and researchers.
Presented by the California Academy of Sciences and the SETI Institute, the eclipse celebration beginning at 10:30 a.m. PDT on Wednesday, August 12 will pair live-streamed eclipse coverage from Iceland and northern Spain, both on the path of totality, with an evocative live orchestral performance by the 35-member ISO. SETI Institute scientists will also give an engaging talk about the ways eclipses have shaped scientific discovery and what they reveal about our nearest star. Throughout the event, SETI Institute scientists will answer audience questions about the Sun, eclipses, and the tools researchers use to study our solar system and beyond. This program is included with regular museum admission.
“Even though the Moon’s shadow won’t reach San Francisco, technology allows us to bring the eclipse to everyone,” said Dr. Franck Marchis, Senior Planetary Astronomer at the SETI Institute and CEO of SkyMapper. "By connecting live to observers across Europe, we’re turning a local astronomical event into a global shared experience where the public can witness the eclipse in real time, interact with scientists, and celebrate our common curiosity about the cosmos.”
"Museums are where our community comes together to experience moments of wonder, and a total solar eclipse is one of nature's most awe-inspiring events," said Dr. Shannon Bennett, Chief Science Officer, California Academy of Sciences. "We're thrilled to partner with the SETI Institute to bring this extraordinary event to the Bay Area. Experiencing live views of the eclipse alongside a performance by the International Space Orchestra will create an unforgettable celebration that deepens our connection to the natural world and to one another."
The International Space Orchestra will perform under the direction of founder Dr. Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian, designer of experiences at the SETI Institute, and will be conducted by two-time Grammy Award winner Evan Price. The orchestra will perform a new interpretation of Voyager by PJ Harvey.
Founded in 2012, the International Space Orchestra brings together scientists, engineers, astronauts and researchers from organizations including NASA Ames Research Center, the SETI Institute, and the broader space community. Through music, the ensemble celebrates the creativity, collaboration and imagination that drive scientific discovery.
Released in June 2026, Voyager is PJ Harvey’s first new music since her Grammy-nominated 2023 album I Inside the Old Year Dying. Written from the perspective of Voyager 2, the song takes its name from NASA’s twin Voyager probes, launched in 1977 carrying the Golden Record—a collection of sounds, music and greetings intended to represent life on Earth. Originally recorded with a full orchestra at Miraval Studios in Provence, the composition brings together expansive strings and pulsing synthesizer signals while reflecting on humanity’s small and fragile place in the universe. It also invokes Carl Sagan’s celebrated description of Earth as a “pale blue dot.”
“An eclipse reminds us that we share one sky,” said Dr. Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian “This performance is an invitation to imagine otherwise. Space exploration should be about liberation and postcolonial projects- projects that are shaped away from militarisation, and led by peace and compassion, culture and cooperation.”
Event Highlights
- Watch the livestreamed total solar eclipse from the path of totality, featuring feeds from Iceland and Spain, set to a live orchestral performance of Voyager by PJ Harvey.
- Hear from SETI Institute scientists about the Sun, eclipses, and how solar observations help scientists better understand stars throughout the universe.
- Ask questions during live Q&A with scientists.
- Celebrate one of nature's most spectacular astronomical events alongside fellow science enthusiasts.
Event Details
What: Total Solar Eclipse Celebration
When: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Where: California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118
Time: 10:30 a.m. PDT
Hosts: Dr. Asa Stahl, Science Communicator, Planetary Society and Dr. Lauren Sgro, Research Scientist, SETI Institute
Tickets: This program is included with regular museum admission. Daily tickets available at https://www.calacademy.org/buy-tickets
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/T-K8xHaOOTY, set to a live orchestral performance by the International Space Orchestra of PJ Harvey's song Voyager.
Images:
- Photos of the International Space Orchestra
- Photos of the California Academy of Sciences
Press Contacts
- Rebecca McDonald, Director of Communications, SETI Institute, [email protected]
- Jeanette Peach, Director of Communications, California Academy of Sciences, [email protected]
- Inge Colsen, International Space Orchestra press contact, Gold Atlas, [email protected]
About the SETI Institute
Founded in 1984, the SETI Institute is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary research and education organization whose mission is to lead humanity’s quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the Universe and to share that knowledge with the world. Our research encompasses the physical and biological sciences and leverages expertise in data analytics, machine learning and advanced signal detection technologies. The SETI Institute is a distinguished research partner for industry, academia and government agencies, including NASA and NSF.
About the California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is a renowned scientific and educational institution with a mission to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. Based in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, it is home to a world-class aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum, as well as innovative programs in scientific research and environmental education—all under one living roof. Museum hours are 9:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Saturday, and 11:00 am – 5:00 pm on Sunday. Admission includes all exhibits, programs, and shows. For daily ticket prices, please visit www.calacademy.org or call (415) 379-8000 for more information.
About the International Space Orchestra
Founded in 2012 by Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian Ph.D, the International Space Orchestra is the world’s first orchestra of space scientists, engineers, astronauts and researchers, with members drawn from NASA Ames Research Center, the SETI Institute and the wider space community. Conducted by musical director Evan Price, ISO is an experiential research laboratory where space science is performed, sung, mixed and reimagined. In 2015, ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti carried ISO’s music to the International Space Station.
internationalspaceorchestra.com
About Nelly Ben Hayoun Studios
Founded in 2009, Nelly Ben Hayoun Studios is a multidisciplinary creative studio known for disrupting systems and sparking radical imagination. The studio creates subversive, multifaceted events, experiences and feature-length films at the intersection of science, technology, politics, art, music and performance. Working independently and with international institutions, brands and collaborators, it builds platforms that support countercultures, critical thinking and pluralistic and queer futures.
nellyben.com/studio
About Villa Albertine
Villa Albertine is an institution of the French Embassy in the United States, supported by the French government and Albertine Foundation. Its mission is to strengthen ties between the United States, France and the French-speaking world through culture and education. Present in ten major US cities, including San Francisco, it offers exploratory residencies, professional programmes, public events and support for creators, thinkers and cultural professionals.
In 2027, Villa Albertine San Francisco is pleased to host Nelly Ben Hayoun Stépanian in residency while they complete research for their project Heartsnatcher.
villa-albertine.org
SkyMapper
SkyMapper is building a global observation network that spans from sky to space, combining all-sky cameras, telescopes, artificial intelligence, and decentralized infrastructure to create trusted, intelligent observations in real time. Through connected
observation systems and cryptographically verifiable observation records, SkyMapper enables trusted sky awareness, scientific discovery, and collaborative participation worldwide.
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