Each summer I organise Central London SUNday, a solar observing and imaging event, to coincide with International SUNday. Held in Regent's Park on a Sunday (of course) it attracts the curious and astronomers armed with white light and hydrogen-alpha filtered telescope and binoculars. The day is a fun, family-friendly and free event.
This year I held the event on 21st June which happened to fall both on Mid-Summer's Day and Father's Day.
Earlier in the week the weather forecast of light to heavy cloud for the Sunday was not looking promising and rain fell in London on the Saturday. I awoke on SUNday to 100% cloud cover but this soon parted as I walked the short distance to Hanover Gate carrying my Lunt LS60T solar scope.
By the time I had set up at 10:00 BST three other astronomers, all Baker Street Irregulars, had joined and we were soon observing the glories of the Sun as our nearest star emerged from the clouds for extended periods.
By lunch-time approximately 40 people had joined the throng looking through a dozen assembled solar adapted 'scopes and bins.
Thankfully the Sun was displaying impressive features: through white light filters the umbra and penumbra of the sunspots of the huge active region AR2719 wowed the viewers. Through the scopes equipped with H-a, including my Lunt, the plages of the group and prominences, one spectacular in size, brought delight to all. I was encouraged that so many observers were children and first-timers: we amateur astronomers always love the 'wows' from the public.
During cloudy periods picnics were consumed by the many of the group during cloudy periods and solar images were displayed and recorded during the many sunny sessions. After six hours standing in the park, observing, explaining the importance of the Sun, and socialising with old and new friends I left for home. I wasn't the last to leave: a couple stayed until the sun dropped behind trees at 7:30.
It was an enjoyable day in a beautiful London park enjoying the sun and the fellowship of like-minded astros. Take a look at the many photographs taken during the day.
