Stargazers in and around Oregon City are in for a treat as Clackamas Community College gears up to offer a series of free public stargazing nights this year. These celestial events, courtesy of a partnership with the Rose City Astronomers club, will allow community members to explore the heavens through the Haggart Observatory's 24-inch Newtonian reflector telescope, KOIN reports.
Visitors of all ages can look forward to various astronomical sights depending on the night they attend. The Haggart Observatory plans to showcase lunar features such as craters, mountains, and plains in intricate detail, which can often be missed by the naked eye, according to Gorge News Center. Volunteers from the Rose City Astronomers will also set up portable telescopes, expanding the viewing options for attendees.
The observatory events are slated on selected dates throughout the spring and fall, with presentations kicking off on April 20 with a waxing gibbous moon viewable from 7-9 p.m. Ensuring an inclusive experience, the viewings require no pre-registration, operating instead on a welcoming first-come, first-served basis. For the full list of dates, enthusiasts can refer to the announcement in the Canby Herald.
In cloudy weather, which might obscure the stars and moon, stargazers are advised to call the observatory for possible cancellations. Additionally, for those venturing out into the night for a glimpse of the firmament, dressing warmly is recommended to counter the evening chill. The college is located at 19600 Molalla Ave., Oregon City 97045, where the observatory finds its home within the Environmental Learning Center, a site emblematic of the human capacity for environmental restoration and education.
This initiative brings the community together and emphasizes the Environmental Learning Center's historical commitment to educating the public on watershed health and urban ecological recovery, as detailed by Gorge News Center. The site, once a Smucker’s processing plant, today serves as a functional stormwater facility and an essential habitat for birds such as the great blue heron and the wood duck.
