Log in

Events

West Valley Astronomy Club hosts solar viewing event in Goodyear

Posted 1/14/25

The West Valley Astronomy Club will host a solar viewing event with the Georgia T. Lord library on Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Goodyear Civic Square Park Stage. This free, …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor
Events

West Valley Astronomy Club hosts solar viewing event in Goodyear

Posted

The West Valley Astronomy Club will host a solar viewing event with the Georgia T. Lord library on Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Goodyear Civic Square Park Stage. This free, all-ages event will provide an opportunity for attendees to observe the Sun's surface as it nears the peak of its solar cycle.

According to NASA, the Sun undergoes an 11-year cycle, known as the solar cycle, during which its activity fluctuates. At solar minimum, sunspots are rare, and the Sun’s surface appears relatively calm. During solar maximum, sunspots become more numerous, and the Sun can produce solar flares and other phenomena. The current period marks a time of increased solar activity, making it a prime opportunity for solar observation.

Using telescopes equipped with solar filters, members of the West Valley Astronomy Club will guide participants in safely observing the Sun. Attendees will be able to see sunspots, which are cooler, darker regions on the Sun’s surface caused by intense magnetic activity. These sunspots can range in size, with the largest growing over 31,068 miles in diameter. During solar maximum, sunspots appear more frequently and can last for weeks. 

This event is part of the Night Sky Network, a nationwide initiative supported by NASA and managed by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. The network connects amateur astronomy clubs with the public to provide educational outreach and promote interest in space science.

Visit nasa.gov for more information. 

West Valley Astronomy Club, NASA, Sun,

Share with others