"The Unseen Sun"
Old Anandians' Astronomical Association’s
Contribution to the Global Astronomy Month 2025
We are delighted to inform you that the “Unseen Sun” public outreach event, organized by the Old Anandians’ Astronomical Association (OAAA), was successfully held on 27th April 2025 at the historic Dutch Fort in Galle, Sri Lanka. Conducted as part of our Calendar Project and in proud alignment with Global Astronomy Month 2025, this event offered a rare and meaningful experience to both local and international participants.
The Sun, despite being our closest star, remains a challenging object to observe safely and in detail. This year’s event was especially significant due to the peak of the solar cycle, with maximum solar activity occurring after 11 years, making features such as sunspots, prominences, granulation, and solar flares more frequent and vivid than usual.
Sri Lanka’s location close to the Equator during this time of year allowed for near-zenith solar viewing and excellent atmospheric conditions, enabling continuous observation throughout the day. Utilizing a Coronado telescope with an H-alpha filter, attendees had the rare opportunity to witness the actual structure and activity of the Sun, including dynamic prominences and surface granulation.
The Dutch Fort in Galle—an iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular international travel destination—provided a unique setting that attracted a multinational audience, including international tourists and students. This allowed us to extend the spirit and message of Global Astronomy Month beyond our local community to a global crowd, fostering a shared appreciation for solar science and astronomical awareness.
Subject: “Unseen Sun” – OAAA’s Contribution to Global Astronomy Month 2025 in Galle, Sri Lanka
Dear Astronomers Without Borders Team,
We are delighted to inform you that the “Unseen Sun” public outreach event, organized by the Old Anandians’ Astronomical Association (OAAA), was successfully held on 27th April 2025 at the historic Dutch Fort in Galle, Sri Lanka. Conducted as part of our Calendar Project and in proud alignment with Global Astronomy Month 2025, this event offered a rare and meaningful experience to both local and international participants.
The Sun, despite being our closest star, remains a challenging object to observe safely and in detail. This year’s event was especially significant due to the peak of the solar cycle, with maximum solar activity occurring after 11 years, making features such as sunspots, prominences, granulation, and solar flares more frequent and vivid than usual.
Sri Lanka’s location close to the Equator during this time of year allowed for near-zenith solar viewing and excellent atmospheric conditions, enabling continuous observation throughout the day. Utilizing a Coronado telescope with an H-alpha filter, attendees had the rare opportunity to witness the actual structure and activity of the Sun, including dynamic prominences and surface granulation.
The Dutch Fort in Galle—an iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular international travel destination—provided a unique setting that attracted a multinational audience, including international tourists and students. This allowed us to extend the spirit and message of Global Astronomy Month beyond our local community to a global crowd, fostering a shared appreciation for solar science and astronomical awareness.
We believe this event served as a compelling example of how culturally and geographically significant locations can be leveraged for impactful global science outreach. Please find attached photographs capturing both the solar observations and public engagement activities.
Poster Created by: Amila Sanjaya Karunaratne . (C) OAAA
Report by;
Dr. Sithum Ginaratne,
President,
Old Anandians’ Astronomical Association (OAAA)
Contacts;
Eranga Thilina Jayashantha,
Member of AWB since 2015
Vice President,
Old Anandians’ Astronomical Association (OAAA)
#GAM2025