Foothill Observatory is open for public viewing every clear Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Visitors to these daytime programs can view details of the sun through our special eyesafe solar filters. We are able to provide spectacular views through both white-light and hydrogen-alpha (0.6 Angstrom) filters. Visitors can inspect two different layers of the sun - the photosphere and the chromosphere. Depending on solar activity, guests will see sunspots (giant cooler areas on the sun's surface), solar prominences (huge flame-like eruptions), and solar flares (titanic explosions). There is even the chance to telescopically view well-placed planets despite the daylight.
The public viewing programs at Foothill are free of charge and are open to guests of all ages. Please note that the observatory is closed when the weather is cloudy.
Visitor parking permits are available from the machines in the parking lots for $2.00.