Highland Road Park Observatory

SOLAR VIEWING

Selected Saturdays from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Free and for all ages.

The hobby of astronomy immediately brings to mind thoughts of darkened backyards and dimly-lit nighttime activities at HRPO. For years, however, patrons have also been given the additional option of visiting during daylight hours to see our parent star.

Weather permitting, HRPO staff offers three views of the Sun…

1. indirect projection onto white viewing surface <> Patrons get a sense of the speed of Earth’s rotation as they see the Sun’s image slide on or off the projection device.
2. safely-filtered optical light sent through standard telescope <> This option allows patrons to spy sunspots both small and large.
3. hydrogen-alpha light <> Flares and prominences are seen easily in this wavelength.

Solar Cycle 24's sunspot and flare activity will probably be at its highest during 2013, so do not lose this opportunity to experience the action!

The Saturdays in 2013 for solar viewing are…

5 January
9 February
9 March
6 April
4 May
8 June
20 July
17 August
14 September
12 October
9 November
7 December

Created by Frederick J. Barnett on Friday, January 04, 2013 7:55:47 AM