Special Solar Viewing
No admission fee. For all ages.
(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.

Solar Cycle 25 is predicted to peak around mid-July of 2025. Solar activity has been surpassing the level expected by the Solar Weather Prediction Center since at least the beginning of 2022.

In anticipation of this peak, HRPO personnel has continued to schedule five extra viewing sessions.

The next dates and times are…
*Wednesday 17 October, 11:45am to 1:45pm
*Saturday 26 October, 12pm to 2pm
*Monday 11 November, 10:45am to 12:45pm
*Saturday 30 November, 11:30am to 2:30pm
*Friday 20 December, 10:30am to 1:30pm
*Saturday 28 December, 11:30am to 2:30pm
*Tuesday 14 January, 10:45am to 1:45pm
*Saturday 25 January, 12pm to 2pm
*Thursday 13 February, 11:15am to 1:15pm
*Saturday 22 February, 12pm to 2pm
[Dates and times are subject to change.]

Weather permitting, these time periods will include three views of the Sun…
First – 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. [Learning Technologies Sunspotter]
Second – safely-filtered optical light sent through standard telescope // This option allows patrons to spy sunspots both small and large. [Orion 10” Skyquest Dobsonian Reflector]
Third – hydrogen-alpha light // Flares and prominences are seen easily in this wavelength. [Coronado Solar Max II 90mm]

Patrons should try to not miss these opportunities. The peak of Solar Cycle 26 will not arrive for eight to fourteen years!

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.]

Want to have a keepsake of your visit? HRPO provides Solar Sketching Forms. Use your personal artistry to remember your view of the Sun.