Solar Observing Session Information
Spring 2012
Solar observing sessions will be held in the late morning/early afternoon for one week at the Campus Observatory, southeast of Foellinger Auditorium. Observing will take place upstairs in the Observatory Dome using specially-designed filters. These filters block 99.999% of the sunlight and make it safe to observe the Sun. Astronomy Department personnel will be present to operate and explain the telescope and the solar phenomena being viewed. Freely ask questions and sketch what you see.
Dates & Times
The scheduled dates for solar observing are listed below.
- Monday, Apr. 2nd
- Tuesday, Apr. 3rd
- Wednesday, Apr. 4th
- Thursday, Apr. 5th
Solar observing sessions run from 11:30am-2:30pm each scheduled day. You may arrive when you wish, but be sure to allow approximately 20-30 minutes complete the observations before the end of session. Note: the dome will be open to the outside air. Dress warmly.
All are welcome to look through the telescopes, including your friends.
Weather-Related CanceLlations
Observing can be done only if the sky is clear. Sometimes it will be clear an hour before a session is to start, only to cloud over in the next hour. At other times the sky is cloudy at the time we want to open the observatory and it clears up after the TAs have left. It is obvious to say that the professors and TAs who are involved cannot control the weather, but we try to cope with the circumstances as best we can.
Also, if the temperature is under 20 F, the session will be cancelled.
Subscribe to the Solar Observing Session Status Update Blog below to receive notifications when a session is canceled due to weather conditions.
Solar Observing Session Status Updates
Updates for scheduled solar observing sessions, including weather-related cancellations, will be posted to the Astronomy Solar Observing Session Status Update Blog.
You can subscribe to the blog or the RSS feed to get updates sent to you automatically!
The latest status updates will also be posted on this page.
Solar Observing 4/9
Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:29:29 CDT
<p> It's clear outside and the observatory is open. It's the last day for solar observing!</p> ... Full Details
Solar Observing Cancelled 4/5
Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:57:27 CDT
It is cloudy out as of now and it doesn't look like it will clear later in the day. Solar Observing is cancelled. ... Full Details
Solar Observing Canceled
Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:54:21 CDT
<p> The sky still hasn't cleared enough for us to observe. Solar obsersing is canceled for today.</p> ... Full Details
Cancelled until 1 pm
Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:22:18 CDT
<p> It's too cloudy to open up now, but check back at 1 pm for updates.</p> ... Full Details
Solar Observing 4/3
Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:36:52 CDT
<p> Skys are clear and the observatory is open today for solar observing.</p> <p> </p> ... Full Details
Post to the Observing Session Status Update Blog (Staff only).