Oregon's Pine Mountain Observatory Now Open

Visitors can learn how optical and digital technologies are used to investigate planets, stars and galaxies.

Photo courtesy: Friends of Pine Mountain Observatory

(BEND, Ore. ) - Star-gazing, planet-searching and constellation viewing are just a leisurely drive away at the Pine Mountain Observatory located about an hour's drive southeast of Bend.

The observatory, operated by the physics department of the University of Oregon, will be open through Sept. 29th for visitors to drop in on Friday and Saturday evenings, from dusk until late night, weather permitting.

While admission is free, a $5 donation per visitor is suggested to help defray operating costs.

The PMO facility is used for astronomy education and research.

It consists of three Cassegrain reflecting telescopes, with mirrors of 15-inch, 24-inch, and 32-inch diameters, each in its own domed building.

Visitors can learn how optical and digital technologies are used to investigate planets, stars and galaxies.

Weather permitting, visitors may be able to locate the planets Venus and Saturn early in the season and Jupiter and Mars later in the summer, as well as other very distant objects through the 15-inch and 24-inch telescopes or with several portable telescopes.

The program, conducted by the Friends of Pine Mountain, a group of amateur astronomers, begins at approximately 9:00 PM Friday and Saturday evenings.

Viewing begins at dusk and continues throughout the night. Solar viewings take place from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on some Saturdays.

Reservations are required for groups of eight or larger. For more information about solar viewing times and group reservations, call (541) 382-8331.

Group reservations also can be made by sending an e-mail to Mark Dunaway at markpmo@uoregon.edu.

School tours are available immediately by contacting Dunaway for reservations.

Visitors, preferably age 6 and older, should dress warmly as night temperatures at the 6,500-foot elevation often approach freezing, even in mid-summer.

A free U.S. Forest Service-operated campsite is located near the observatory. No reservations are required. The sites are primitive, without water. Wood can be gathered at the campground subject to Forest Service regulations.

PMO is about 30 miles southeast of Bend. Friends of Pine Mountain warn that visitors have sufficient fuel for their drive back to Bend, and, in addition to warm clothing, they should bring along non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.

From Bend, take State Highway 20 toward Burns; 26 miles from Bend, just past the Millican general store and trailer park, turn right (south) at the green mailbox on the dirt road across the desert and continue to the top of Pine Mountain, a drive of about eight miles.

Along this road, a large green University of Oregon sign and a small sign indicating the observatory is five miles ahead will help to confirm visitors are on the correct road.

Visitors are asked to dim their headlights as the reach the top of the mountain, and park in the PMO parking lot.

For moving about the area, visitors may carry a shielded (covered with red cellophane, preferably) flashlight; no bright white lights are allowed because such light destroys night vision.

If planning to travel to PMO, visitors are urged to check the weather forecast.

If the sky is cloudy, the telescopes will not be open for use because they can be damaged by rain.

If lightning is occurring, take precautions and do not proceed up the mountain.

Be alert for snow or ice, as well as livestock that may be roaming along the road. Nights without a full moon also offer the best viewing of the night sky.

A gift shop is available at PMO for the purchase of bottled water, t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps and educational gifts. Free star charts also are available.

Visitors may bring binoculars, lawn chairs and personal telescopes.

Programs are informal and begin as groups of visitors warrant.

The primary activity is viewing the skies through the telescopes and hearing explanations from the operators.

PMO is closed to visitors Sundays-Thursdays, including holiday times.