Sidewalk astronomy

Examples of people setting up telescopes on urban streets for public astronomical viewing go back well into the 19th century and maybe even further.

[8] There are many examples in the past such as Frank Manning in New Orleans as early as 1930[9] and Mr Grosser in Los Angeles in the 1870s, who not only set up a telescope but also an illuminated microscope.

[6][10] In more recent years sidewalk astronomy has come to be more associated with altruistic individuals or groups offering views of the nighttime sky as a free public educational service.

During the day, sidewalk astronomy often includes use of a solar filter on the telescope to allow people to view the Sun.

This usually involves individual or a groups of amateur astronomers with small-to-medium-sized telescopes.