Haggart Observatory at CCC offers public viewing nights

OREGON CITY - The Haggart Observatory at Clackamas Community College's Environmental Learning Center announces its public viewing nights scheduled for 2024. Partnering with the Rose City Astronomers, the observatory will offer free stargazing opportunities throughout the year, allowing visitors to explore the wonders of the night sky through the observatory's powerful telescope.

This year, the Environmental Learning Center will focus on showcasing the moon. While everyone has seen the moon before, viewing it through a high-powered telescope offers a new perspective, revealing craters, mountains and plains in detail.

The Haggart Observatory boasts a 24-inch Newtonian reflector telescope housed within its dome. During viewing nights, Rose City Astronomers volunteers also set up portable telescopes on the observatory deck, providing a variety of viewing options.

The viewings are free, open to the public and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. No pre-registration is required. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, especially for popular dates, as space may be limited.

Rose City Astronomers volunteers are enthusiasts who are passionate about sharing their knowledge of the night sky. They will be on hand to guide visitors, answer questions and ensure everyone gets a chance to marvel at the wonders of space.

The observatory will be open to the public on the following dates:

• Saturday, April 20 (waxing gibbous moon, 7-9 p.m.)
• Wednesday, May 15 (first quarter moon, 9-11 p.m.)
• Saturday, May 18 (waxing gibbous moon, 7-9 p.m.)
• Thursday, June 13 (first quarter moon, 9-11 p.m.)
• Saturday, Aug. 10 (waxing crescent moon, 6:30-8:30 p.m.)
• Monday, Aug. 12 (first quarter moon, 6-8 p.m.)
• Tuesday, Sept. 17 (full moon, 9-11 p.m.)
• Wednesday, Oct. 16 (full moon, 8-10 p.m.)

If the skies are cloudy on a scheduled viewing night, call Rose City Astronomers at 503-594-6044 for cancellation updates. Dress warmly for the evening weather. Clackamas Community College is located at 19600 Molalla Ave., Oregon City 97045. The Environmental Learning Center, where the observatory is housed, is on the northeast side of campus.

About Haggart Observatory

The Haggart Observatory is located at Clackamas Community College's Environmental Learning Center in Oregon City. Originally constructed in 1989 with the community's help, the observatory offers a unique opportunity for stargazers to explore the cosmos.

About the Environmental Learning Center

The Environmental Learning Center has a rich history as an educational resource for Clackamas Community College, regional schools, industry and the community. Located on the former site of a Smucker's processing plant, the center was created to demonstrate what people could do to reclaim industrial sites, address stormwater issues and restore wildlife habitats in urban areas. Each year, thousands of people visit to explore the 5-acre site and learn about watershed health. The site serves as an important stormwater facility for the college campus and provides critical wetland habitat for resident and migratory birds, such as the great blue heron, wood duck and merganser. For more information about the Environmental Learning Center, visit CCC's Environmental Learning Center webpage at CCC's Environmental Learning Center webpage.