Solar observing in Santa Cruz

by Michael Swartz

I tried to contact my solar friend Bob Hess to do some viewing together on this fine sunny day but was unable to reach him by email or phone. So I packed up the scope and family and headed to Santa Cruz. I was sure if I drove around long enough I would find him observing on a cliff somewhere. So off we went over the hill, around the neighborhoods along the coast just north of the boardwalk in search of Bob. And then. off in the distance there he was! He was all set up at the top off a cliff area overlooking a beach area. People were walking back and forth along the walk past him. Some of them stopped to check out the curious site of this man and his solar observing contraption and take a look at the burning sun above them. I pulled up across the street and shouted "Hey Bob! I found you. Mind if we join you?" He said, "sure, come on over!". So I pulled into a spot which was conveniently vacant right by where he was observing.

After parking I unpacked my family, my gear and picked out a spot a few yards away from him. After sending the family off to play on the beach I set up my scope and chairs and joined in the observing. Soon, I too had people at the eyepiece of my scope. We routed them back and forth as new curious passers by would stop and ask about what we were looking at. It was quite a site and people were having a good time.

The sun looked good today. Sunspot 649 is slowly creeping toward the edge and soon to rotate out of view. But, it's active area looks bright and was full of fine black lines and small filaments. Sunspot 652 is looking more impressive as it comes more fully into view again. There was a long filament near it that rose up dramatically and then made an abrupt 90' turn. It was pretty big. There were some nice prominences too. Before I arrived some filaments and prominences had appeared and then changed or disappeared completely. There was plenty to look at.

I thought this is great! Here we are sharing science with locals and tourists at this really beautiful spot overlooking the ocean. The air smelled good, the sun was active and had some nice features, the folks that stopped by for a look were inquisitive and appreciative. It was really fun and I am looking forward to sneaking out there during the week to do some ocean side solar viewing with Bob again sometime soon.

Thanks Bob.

Posted on sf-bay-tac Aug 15, 2004 19:16:50 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.2 Jan 08, 2005 12:08:51 PT