Sun-Earth Day 2008: Space Weather Around the World

AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS

The first amateur astronomers might be said to be the first people who looked up and wondered about the sun, the most prominent, dynamic, and visually powerful object in the heavens. What is it made of? How does it shine? And what are its effects on the Earth, the solar system, and our daily lives?

As skilled sky observers and students of astronomy, you can help others answer these questions and give them a better understanding of the role the sun plays in our existence. For Sun Earth Day 2008, our theme is "Space Weather Around the World ". Through this year's program, we will join millions of scientists, amateurs, students, teachers, and general public around the world in celebrating IHY, the International Heliophysical Year. We would like to hold as many star/sun parties as possible, in as many locations on the planet as possible highlighting the sun and the heliosphere.

So, this year's AA Challenge will be to hold a star/sun party and to give a public talk focusing on the sun, its atmosphere, and the effects it has on the solar system.

Requirements for the 2008 Sun-Earth Day Observing Certificate are:

1. Hold a sun/star party for at least 50 people showing the sun through projection methods or direct viewing through properly filtered solar telescopes.
2. Host an activity at your star/sun party that explains some aspect of the sun and/or heliosphere. Examples could include making solar cookies, demonstrations of electricity and magnetism, relative size of the sun relative to Earth or distance to the sun, etc.
3. Give a public talk on the sun of at least 30 minute duration. You could add it to your star/sun party or give it in a local school, boy/girl scout meeting, etc.
4. Send us at least one picture of your event(s) for posting on the Sun Earth Day web site. Include your name, club name (if applicable), and location including lat/lon. We will put a dot on a world map for each star/sun party and post it on the web site.

Once you have completed these requirements, you may download your certificate (available in the very near future)

Please join us as we experience again the excitement and wonder that has captured mankind's imagination for thousands of years.