Paul Morgan Observatory Reopens Public Stargazing Season at UCC

ROSEBURG, Ore. — Umpqua Community College’s Paul Morgan Observatory has reopened for its summer and fall public stargazing season, with several astronomy events planned on campus through September.

The season kicked off Saturday, June 13, as members of the public and the Umpqua Astronomers Club gathered for an evening program focused on the night sky. Public programs at the observatory use live telescope images and outdoor viewing to help visitors see planets, stars, star clusters, distant galaxies and other objects beyond Earth.

Depending on sky conditions, visitors may also have a chance to view planets such as Jupiter and Venus during twilight.

The Paul Morgan Observatory was built in 2016 as part of UCC’s astronomy program and community outreach efforts. The facility provides both onsite and online viewing of the sun and night sky. UCC describes it as the only public observatory in southern Oregon and the only all-digital observatory in the Northwest.

Upcoming public events include:

• Friday, July 10, 9:30 p.m.
  • Stellar formation, from protostars to planetary nebula
• Saturday, August 2, 8 p.m.
  • Moon Watch near the Technology Building’s east side tennis courts
• Friday, August 7, 9:30 p.m.
  • The heart of the Milky Way, including nebulae and star clusters
• Thursday, August 27, 8:30 p.m.
  • Lunar eclipse viewing
• Friday, September 11, 8 p.m.
  • Late summer and early fall skies

The August Moon Watch event is designed for beginning telescope users, with local amateur astronomers available to help people set up and use their telescopes. Telescopes will also be available for those who do not bring their own.

For observatory programs, visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair and prepare for an evening outside.