Observe The Sun

Step up to the sidewalk outside the National Air and Space Museum, where a filtered telescope transforms the midday bustle into a solar observatory. Positioned beside the gleaming Delta Solar sculpture, this event invites passersby to peer directly at the Sun’s surface—safely—under the guidance of museum staff. Solar flares and sunspots come into sharp focus, revealing a side of our star that’s usually hidden in plain sight. Staff members are on hand to field questions, demystifying solar science for curious minds of all ages. The experience is casual yet immersive, with the city’s hum as a backdrop to cosmic discovery. Held on select Fridays and Saturdays, the program depends on clear skies, so each session feels like a fleeting opportunity to catch the Sun in action.