Science of the sun at La Societe open day
STARGAZERS were treated to a solar open day at the weekend – without damaging their eyes.
Earth’s nearest star, the sun, was seen in all its glory on Saturday when islanders took to the La Societe Guernesiaise’s astronomy section telescopes in St Peter’s.
Adults and children were thrilled to discover what the sun’s photosphere, chromosphere and plasma looked like on closer inspection, some through the telescopes on offer, some via live images of the sun and some via pictures taken.
Section secretary Dr Jean Dean said she hoped that the people could experience a little bit of science to appreciate what the sun is.
‘The sun is a star and people tend to forget that because you look up to the sky and you see the stars and you really do forget about the sun, which is just closer to us,’ she said.
‘We can study it because it is closer to us and we have the chance to understand the stellar processes.’
It was a busy day, with a steady stream of people venturing out to talk to like-minded others and find out something new about life beyond Earth.
Paul Bisson had come with his two daughters, Isla and Elsa.
‘It’s really something different to do and La Societe are always doing something different,’ he said.
‘We’ve been rock-pooling and we went to an archaeology one just before lockdown. They’re great, we really enjoy them and are always learning something new – it’s as much for the adults as it is for the kids.’
The group also gets the schools involved, as well as the junior La Societe members
More open days are planned, one at the beginning of summer and another at the end.
‘We usually wait until closer to the time to book the days so we know it’s going to be a nice day and not cloudy,’ Dr Dean said.
‘As soon we can book a day, we’ll get it updated on our website so people can come and join us and enjoy some more of the science of the sun.’
