GOSP Directory

Astonomy Links

Goldendale Observatory
State Park

Our Clear Sky Chart predicts upcoming sky conditions and may not indicate exact conditions. Click on the Sky Chart for additional information about how it works.

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Special Events being planned this Summer at the Goldendale Observatory

Click here to view a special events page in printable pdf format. This will list the hours the observatory will be opened for these special events. If you have any questions about the events, please contact the observatory.

GOSP To Offer Free Days

Washington State Parks Director Don Hoch has selected several days which are FREE days for parking in Washington State Parks in 2012. On these days the Discover Pass will NOT be required for access to state park lands and not required for admission to the afternoon and evening sessions at the Observatory. Come and enjoy the park facilities for free on these days. Free days for 2012 are listed below.

March 18 - Washington State Parks 99th birthday weekend.
June 9 - National Get Outdoors Day.
September 29 - National Public Lands Day.
November 10 and November 11 - Veterans Day Weekend.

The Goldendale Observatory Interpretive Center is located on a hilltop North of Goldendale, Washington. It is a unique facility because it caters to the general public with programs designed to educate the novice as well as the experienced star gazer. They have a number of telescopes including a 24.5 inch that is used in the evenings for public viewing sessions. There is also a library for in house study of astronomy. The facility is run by the Washington State Parks Department. Begun on July 1, 2011, admission to the Goldendale Observatory State Park is via a Discover Pass. You can find out more information on this by visiting their website or by visiting the Washington State Parks website.

Steve Stout serves as the facility supervisor and is a very knowledgeable amateur astronomer and friend of mine. He gives an interesting talk before each session and keeps the public updated on the latest happenings in the cosmos. Enjoy the Clear Sky Chart above and the weather link below. Keep in mind these are only predictions and weather conditions can change rapidly. The blue background color of this webpage is from an image taken at 6300' Table Mountain near Ellensburg.

Click on image for more weather information

Historical Background

The observatory is the result of the efforts of four men, M.W. McConnell, John Marshall, Don Conner and O.W. VanderVelden who built the 24.5 inch telescope. These men offered to donate the telescope to the City of Goldendale on the condition that a building be provided to house it. Funds for the building were provided by a federal grant, and the observatory was dedicated October 13, 1973. The Goldendale Observatory Corporation, a non-profit group led by a volunteer board of directors, leased the observatory from the City of Goldendale until December 1980, when the State Parks Commission purchased the site. From January 1981 to July 1981, an interim agreement between the Commission and the corporation operated the observatory. The Commission assumed full operation on July 1, 1981, and the corporation board now acts in an advisory capacity. A much more detailed history of the observatory is here. Enjoy your visit and take your time and see everything the Goldendale Observatory State Park has to offer.

Observatory Exact Location

Latitude - 45 degrees, 50 minutes, 20.104 seconds
Longitude - 120 degrees, 48 minutes, 49.787 seconds
Elevation - 2100 feet above sea level

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How to get to the Goldendale Observatory

Coming from the North - As you approach Goldendale on 97, look for a sign that says Goldendale Observatory next right Take the first exit into Goldendale (E Broadway)(142). Go one mile to the four-way stop, turn right, go North 0.7 mile to a fork in the road. Take the right fork, stay on the paved road and continue 0.7 mile up hill to the Observatory parking lot. See the map below.

Coming from the South - As you approach Goldendale on 97, look for a sign that says Goldendale Observatory next left. Take the last exit into Goldendale (E Broadway)(142). Rest of directions same as those above. See the map below.

View Larger Map

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Summer Afternoon Program

The afternoon sessions are held from 2:00 to 5:00 PM with solar viewing, observing Venus through the large telescope for much of the year and astronomy themed displays. An overview of the afternoon program is given below.

• 2:00 PM - Doors open
• Welcome and Orientation
• History of Goldendale Observatory
• Introduction to Telescopes
• Prepare for Backyard Star Gazing
• Venus or bright star observation
• How to view the Sun safely
• Observe live image of the Sun
• Tour of Observatory's Sundials
• 5:00 PM - Gates close

Summer Evening Program

The Goldendale Observatory's Summer hours from April 1st to September 30th are Wednesday through Sunday. Evening sessions are held from 8:00 to Midnight. The evening session gives visitors a chance to view celestial objects through the eyepiece of some of the observatory's telescopes, including the 24.5 inch Cassegrain.

The evening session starts at 8:00 PM and those arriving later will miss part of the interpretive program, which will not be repeated that evening. You do not need to make a reservation to attend the public sessions at the observatory, but if you have a large group coming, (10 or more) it is best to call ahead and let Steve know about your group size, needs etc. Several large groups showing up on the same evening could overcrowd the facility. An overview of the evening program is given below.

• 8:00 PM - Doors open
• Welcome and Orientation
• History of Goldendale Observatory
• Introduction to Telescopes
• Prepare for Backyard Star Gazing
• Bright Star observation
• Moon and or Planet observation
• The Stars tonight
• Tour of the Constellations
• Nebula, star cluster, and galaxy observation
• Midnight - Gates close

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May Tour of the Universe

By Stephen R. Stout, Interpretive Specialist at Goldendale Observatory

Goldendale, Washington - Spring/Summer hours are now in effect at the Observatory through the end of September. Visiting hours are 2-5 PM and 8 PM – Midnight, Wednesdays through Sundays.

For the month of May, telescope viewing under clear skies should reveal the Moon from the 2nd to the 8th and from the 23rd to the 31st (New Moon is on the 20th ) and the planets Venus, Mars and Saturn. The constellations Ursa Minor, Bootes and Libra will be identified and deep sky objects such as a nebula, star cluster and galaxy in the constellations will be viewed through the telescopes.

During "The Stars Tonight" portion of the program, current topics from Sky and Telescope Magazine, Astronomy Magazine, the Astronomical Calendar, "The Observer's Year" and "365 Starry Nights" will be presented.

The afternoon program which begins at 2:05 p.m. may include telescope views of sun-spots, solar flares, and the planet Venus or a bright star. On May 20th there will be a partial eclipse of the Sun. The Observatory will stay open after 5 PM on that day for those who wish to come see the live image of the eclipse in the Interpretive Center theater.

Special programs at Goldendale Observatory

On May 20th there will be a partial eclipse of the Sun. The Observatory will stay open after 5 PM on that day for those who wish to come see the live image of the eclipse in the Interpretive Center theater.

Regular Observatory sessions and special events are available via Discover Pass.

Call the Goldendale Observatory at (509)773-3141 or send an email to goldendale.observatory@parks.wa.gov for more information about any programs.

Current NASA missions

There will be plenty of activity on Mars and Saturn in the next few Months. I have put a link to the Mars and Saturn Mission websites at JPL, so you may look at all the pictures from the missions. I also have a link to local viewing times for the International Space Station and the new Kepler and Dawn missions.

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Winter Afternoon Program

The afternoon sessions are held from 2:00 to 5:00 PM with solar viewing, observing Venus through the large telescope from much of the year and astronomy themed displays. An overview of the afternoon program is given below.

• 2:00 PM - Doors open
• Welcome and Orientation
• History of Goldendale Observatory
• Introduction to Telescopes
• Prepare for Backyard Star Gazing
• Venus or bright star observation
• How to view the Sun safely
• Observe live image of the Sun
• Tour of Observatory's Sundials
• 5:00 PM - Gates close

Winter Evening Program

Winter evening hours from Oct 1st to March 31st are Friday through Sunday from from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. Contact the Observatory for more information. Plan on visiting this fine facility in the future and enjoy a family outing under the stars. An overview of the evening program is given below.

• 7:00 PM - Doors open
• Welcome and Orientation
• History of Goldendale Observatory
• Introduction to Telescopes
• Prepare for Backyard Star Gazing
• Moon and or planet observation
• The Stars tonight
• Tour of the Constellations
• Nebula, star cluster, and galaxy observation
• 10:00 PM - Gates close

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Volunteer Opportunities at GOSP

In order for the Observatory to continue to grow and improve its facility it must rely on volunteer help. This volunteer help is needed in any of the following areas:

If you would like to volunteer some time or possibly have equipment you would like to donate to the Observatory, contact Steve Stout at the address or telephone number below. The Observatory maintains a wish list of equipment they need and have a donation box to help save money to buy equipment on this list. In addition, the Goldendale Observatory is now on line and has its own e-mail address. The Goldendale Observatory State Park is your public gateway to the stars - Enjoy!

Northwest Astronomy Clubs & Links -----> Astronomical Society of the Pacific Battle Point Astronomical Association Boeing Employees Astronomical Society Boise Astronomical Society Central Washington University Astronomy Club Dark Skies Northwest - IDA Eastside Astronomical Society Eugene Astronomical Society Everett Astronomical Society Fraser Valley Astronomers Society Goldendale Astronomy Club Island County Astronomical Society (email) Magic Valley Astronomical Society Manastash Ridge Observatory Mt Bachelor Star Party Mt Kobau Star Party NightSky 45 Astronomy Club North West Astronomy Group Northwest Region of the Astroleague Olympic Astronomical Society OMSI - Portland, Oregon Oregon Star Party Orion Nebula Star Party Palouse Astronomical Society Pine Mountain Observatory Rattlesnake Mountain Observatory Rose City Astronomers Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Seattle Astronomical Society Southern Oregon Skywatchers Spokane Astronomical Society Squak Mountain Telescope Gang Table Mountain Star Party Tacoma Astronomical Society Tri-City Astronomy Club UW - Astronomy Department Whatcom Association of Celestial Observers WSU - Astronomy Department Yakima Astronomical Society

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The Goldendale Observatory page is maintained by Bruce Perrault.
Visit my Astronomy web page - The Cowiche Astronomer.
The last update to this page was made on 5/1/2012.


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