Observing the Sun through a Solar Telescope: A Passion for Astronomy in St. Albans

On Monday afternoon in downtown St. Albans, 59-year-old transmitter engineer Rodney Cole stood with his solar telescope, feeling optimistic about the viewing conditions for the upcoming solar eclipse. Cole had traveled to South Carolina in 2017 to witness the total solar eclipse, but the view was obscured by clouds at that time.

However, as he set up his Sunspotter Solar Telescope and closely watched several sunspots on the surface of the sun projected by the device, two young children approached to take a closer look at his setup and asked if the spots were sunspots. Cole confirmed their curiosity with a simple “Of course they are!”

Cole’s interest in observing the sun and its phenomena has drawn attention to him, sparking curiosity in both children and adults alike. Despite his initial disappointment with the eclipse viewing in 2017, he remains dedicated to experiencing and observing different solar events. Standing in St. Albans with his solar telescope, Cole shares his passion for astronomy with others, providing a unique and educational experience for those who stop to take a look.