Solar Science

he Rockingham Free Public Library will host a Solar Science event at 12 noon on Wednesday, Jan. 29.  All ages are welcomed and encouraged to come to the library and view the sun safely using a Solar Telescope, Sunoculars, and Solar Eclipse glasses and learn about the exciting solar activities happening this year and how to safely view these events.   

Now is an exciting time to view the sun as it will reach the peak of its current activity cycle in 2024, one year earlier than previous estimates, according to experts at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). The revised prediction now places Solar Cycle 25’s peak of activity known as “solar maximum” between January and October 2024 according to a NOAA statement. The solar cycle describes an 11-year period of solar activity driven by the sun’s magnetic field and indicated by the frequency and intensity of visible sunspots on the surface. A solar eclipse will be viewable in Vermont on April 8, 2024.  

This program is free, open to the public and accessible to those with disabilities. This program is brought to you thanks to the Vermont Department of Libraries, NASA @ My Library, StarNet, and Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL). In case of cancellation due to weather, the program will be rescheduled for Monday, Jan 29.
 

For more information, email reference@rockinghamlibrary.org, call 802-463-4270, go to rockinghamlibrary.org or stop by the Rockingham Library at 65 Westminster St. in Bellows Falls.