The Hilltopper Astronomy Club put off its monthly solar observation to wait for clearer skies.

The club plans to set up telescopes Thursday outside Hardin Planetarium if the weather permits. The event was scheduled for 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., but gray overcast clouds obstructed a clear view of the sun. 

Solar observation invites students to use telescopes to view sunspots and flares, try solar-viewing glasses, or watch videos of the sun’s different wavelengths inside the planetarium dome, according to the event listing.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s seven-day forecast for Bowling Green predicts mostly cloudy skies and rain showers before noon on Thursday. The 10-day forecast from Weather Underground corroborates NOAA’s prediction, with morning showers and over 60% cloud cover between noon and 2 p.m.

The student-run club also hosts monthly night observations and star parties at Mammoth Cave National Park. Next month’s night observation will occur on March 10 from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the first-floor atrium of Kelly Thompson Hall.

“The HAC exists to heighten astronomy knowledge of both students and the general public, and we do so by engaging people in public events,” Club Faculty Advisor Maxx Haehn said.

Haehn said the public events also build club members’ skills operating telescopes, cameras and other astronomical equipment.