by Dave and Jennifer Skitt, Observatory Co-Chairs

Solar Observing on November 29, 2025

Upon hearing of the Grand Re-Opening of the Nature Center in Washington Crossing State Park on Thanksgiving weekend, I wondered what AAAP could do to entice park visitors to view nature in ways above and beyond those offered by the Nature Center.  You see, the Nature Center lies just down the road from our observatory, and their daytime activities were all slated to be indoors.  We could open the Observatory roof and do Solar Observing, of course!

Word went out to our Keyholders to solicit volunteers to staff the observatory while the Nature Center did their thing.  Once we had sufficient coverage for our telescopes, I invited AAAP members and Keyholders-in-Training (KIT’s) to join us.  Then, all we had to do, was hope for clear skies.  Nature provided that for us on Saturday November 29.  And, what an incredibly nice sunny day we had!  

I arrived around 0930 and made a brief stop by the renovated Nature Center to introduce myself and our event to the new naturalist, Joe Moore.  We both promised to direct visitors to each others activities.

In total, we had six telescope set-ups in the field along with the observatory scopes.  Our scopes were white light solar only and the field scopes had both white light and hydrogen-alpha capabilities.  Later in the day, we pointed a few scopes toward at Venus and the Moon, for a change of scenery.

Five KIT’s appeared and I went through the set up and safety protocol for solar observing with our telescopes.  The KIT’s were a big help in kicking things off in the morning.  Two of them earned their keys to the observatory as they had completed their training.

While I was too busy to get a final head count (or photos), I estimate we had 35-40 visitors of all ages.  In the crowd were a few Park volunteer employees and the executive director of the Washington Crossing Park Association.  Also present were a local mom and dad and their daughter, who is currently studying Engineering at UC Berkley and working on a NASA planetary mission set to launch in 2030.  They said they have visited our observatory off and on since their daughter was a little girl.  Wow!

It was a busy day for all of us; there was never a dull moment.  My wife, Jennifer, helped us close out the day, directing people to telescopes, answering questions and handing out brochures.  Jennifer’s arrival provided Bill Murray and I a few moments to hang the Gene Ramsey memorial plague.  While completing the task, we spoke well of Gene, remembering his contributions to the club and our personal lives. 

As the Sun cast longer shadows and 1600 drew near, Jennifer and I took a walk up to the Nature Center.  Jennifer spoke of bugs and flying squirrels (ask me about that sometime) and I talked of future club interaction with Joe and the Nature Center staff.  Everyone agreed resumption of Nature Center operations was a good thing.  Needless to say, Jennifer and I were deeply satisfied with the days activities.  

Many, many thanks to all who came out to make it happen and observe the Sun.