This event was our first at the Community Church of Santa Rosa Beach. As part of their summer Vacation Bible School activities we set up solar scopes to show the students and leaders the Sun. The weather did its best to discourage us, but we held out and eventually everyone got to view the Sun through very broken clouds.
Tom Haugh set up his library scope outfitted with a solar filter for a white light view of the Sun along with his spectroscope to view the solar spectrum. Dennis set up his Hydrogen-alpha scope for a view at that frequency. There was no evidence of any sunspots but there was a very small prominence. You had to know where it was and look closely to see it but it was there.
 Future astronomers take a look at the solar spectrum. |
 Dennis(left) and Tom(right) explain to the guest observers what they are seeing. |
We had 68 students and 15 adults take a look when the clouds allowed. At one time there was enough rain to force us to cover the equipment, but it was over very quickly and we pressed on.
 Some of our youngest guest observers take a look. |
 Some of the more experienced observers take a look as well. |
We thank the Community Church of Santa Rosa Beach for the invitation to share our passion for Astronomy. We also thank Marietta Hausch for her event photos.