PHOTOS, VIDEO: Summer starts at Solstice Park with Alice Enevoldsen’s 69th change-of-seasons explanation

(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)

The first sunset of summer was absolutely perfect, particularly for the ~100 people who watched it with West Seattle astronomy educator and NASA volunteer Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen at Solstice Park.

Both Alice and the sunset got applause:

Once the sun was fully out of view behind the Olympic Mountains, it was time for her to present a version of the interactive lesson she’s given 68 times before, during her solstice and equinox watches.

First, a volunteer was chosen to represent the sun:

Everybody else had a role to play too, as Alice explained the seasons and how Earth tilts toward and away from the sun:

Here’s our video of her entire presentation:

It’s always followed by Q&A time, so if you’ve ever had a sky-watching question, bring it to one of Alice’s sunset watches!

All ages are welcome, and so are well-behaved pets:

If you come to a sunset watch, you’ll also get to see – if the sun cooperates, as it did last night – how the Solstice Park plateau’s paths and marker stones line up with the setting sun on solstice and equinox days. You might even get a sunset selfie.

Set your calendar for Tuesday, September 22, when autumn will arrive, and watch Alice’s website for updates.

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