Eclipse outreach activity in the park
Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 1:09 am
I hosted an eclipse party at our local park. I set up a Hydrogen alpha telescope, a small refractor projecting an image onto a screen and a pinhole setup. Here we had only a 32% partial eclipse. I had about 30 people go though. I enjoyed sharing the sun with all these people, who would not otherwise have had the opportunity. Will definitely do it again. In 2024, we will have a total eclipse here.
Although the hydrogen alpha telescope gave the best views, most people only spent about a minute looking through it and then were reluctant to touch the focuser. For an longer view, most seemed more comfortable watching the projected image. They can see the sunspots well enough and can discuss it more easily. They would look at this image for much longer. Some of them took photos of the projected image.
I had a wonderful time.
Although the hydrogen alpha telescope gave the best views, most people only spent about a minute looking through it and then were reluctant to touch the focuser. For an longer view, most seemed more comfortable watching the projected image. They can see the sunspots well enough and can discuss it more easily. They would look at this image for much longer. Some of them took photos of the projected image.
I had a wonderful time.