SOLAR VIEWING
For ages six and older. No admission fee.
(solar viewer, $2.00 each)
The hobby of astronomy immediately brings to mind thoughts of darkened backyards and dimly-lit nighttime activities at HRPO—but patrons also have the option of visiting during daylight hours to see our parent star.
Weather permitting, once monthly HRPO personnel offers four views of the …
12:00pm to 12:30pm – indirect projection onto a white viewing surface // Patrons get a sense of the speed of the Earth’s rotation as they see the Sun’s image slide on and off of the projection. [Learning Technologies Sunspotter]
12:15pm to 1:00pm – safely-filtered optical light sent through a standard telescope // This option allows patrons to spy sunspots both small and large. [Orion 10″ Skyquest Dobsonian Reflector]
12:30pm to 1:30pm – Calcium K Wavelength // Granulation cells and magnetic field contrast are more accessible in this light. [Lunt B1200 Blocking Filter]
12:45pm to 1:30pm – hydrogen-alpha wavelength // Flares and prominences are seen easily in this wavelength. [Coronado Solar Max II]
2026 SOLAR VIEWING
31 January
28 February
28 March
25 April [during International Astronomy Day]
30 May
27 June [during A.R.R.L. Field Day]
25 July
29 August
26 September
31 October
28 November
26 December
The solar viewers for sale look like cardboard sunglasses, but they block over 99% of the entirety of the Sun’s light and therefore keep eyes safe. The solar viewers are not toys! Please follow all instructions listed on the viewer. [Must be twelve years of age or older to purchase. Limit two per purchaser per day.]