In 2017, the St. Louis Library Telescope Program added thirteen Sunspotter Solar Telescopes to St. Louis areas libraries for checkout just like a book by K-12 educators. The addition of a solar telescope was completed in part to advantage of the historic August 21, 2017 Total Solar Eclipse, but also in recognition the K-12 classes are held during the day which is a perfect opportunity for safe solar viewing of the Sun.“ Sunspotter” telescopes are instruments used exclusively for viewing the Sun. They employ a small refracting telescope and a set of mirrors to project an image of the Sun safely, onto a white screen within the telescope. Several persons can view the image at a time. The telescopes display solar surface features such as sunspots on any clear day. They will also show the progress of the Moon’s shadow on the Sun during partial phase of a solar eclipse.
Below is a video created by the St. Louis Astronomical Society that provides an overview on how to operate the Sunspotter Solar Telescope. Instructional materials for teachers are included with each telescope.
The library telescope is a great tool for teachers to engage students. The Orion Star-Blast 4.5 Reflector is powerful and easy-to-use. Teachers can check out the telescope from their participating local library, just like a book.