Solar observing at AstroPicnic 2013

The idea for a day of observing the Sun through solar filters and having a picnic arose from a discussion I had in May with Fawzia Muradali Kane, a fellow Irregular of the Baker Street Astronomers.

I decided that the best date for the first of its kind would be Sunday 30^th June. Floating the suggestion on various social media gathered a sufficient positive response so all was set. We just needed clear skies and a suitable site. Following our tradition of meeting in Regent’s Park for our regular BSIA events it seemed natural to hold the solar viewing with the park. It was suggested that close to the amenities around Hanover Gate would be the best location.

The day before the event I had my last recce of the spot; it looked quite deserted at noon and offering ample opportunity to track the sun as it moved across the sky from morning to late afternoon. No trees would impede any observation.

The weather for the planned day looked promising: warm temperatures with light variable clouds and at 09:30 on the Sunday I picked up my kit and walked from home to Hanover Gate, Regent’s Park and was delighted to find the spot was deserted. 

I set up my 81 mm refractor with its Baader solar film filter on its dew shield and being obvious in an otherwise deserted field soon attracted the curious attention of early morning dog walkers, joggers and the regular patrol of an armed policeman. I began observing at 24x three obvious active regions; AR11777, 1778, and 1781.

Soon other Irregulars joined me, pitching their dedicated hydrogen-alpha Lunt solar ‘scopes, telescopes sporting white light solar filters and tripod mounted binoculars. Pretty quickly a score of us were observing our closest star and showing interested passers-by their first view of sunspots.

The day progressed by comparing the view seen through the two Lunt solar scopes kindly brought my Chris and Simon with those seen through white light solar filters, chatting to friends old and new about astro and non-astro subjects; snacking on our picnic victuals.Through the H-alpha filters of the Lunts we saw spectacular examples of prominences, filaments and plages

The temperatures soared to 26°C tempting many to the park so by 3pm we were surrounded by a collection of picnickers, sunbathers, footballers determined to strike a telescope with a ball, energetic young children running around and one kite-flier, so it was time to declare the day a success, break down our equipment pack up our bags and head home.

My thanks go to all who attended particularly those who brought the scopes and binoculars. We shall return for another AstroPicnic in Regent's Park next Summer.