The Haggart Astronomical Observatory
Located at the John Inskeep Environmental Learning Center of Clackamas Community College
503-657-6958 x 5665 ("LOOK")
lookup@clackamas.edu
[when an event is in progress, we can be reached at x2982]
We are a volunteer-operated observatory dedicated to providing opportunities for the public to view stars, planets and deep-space objects through our telescopes. We are located in Oregon City, close to the Portland metropolitan area.
THROUGH WINTER AND SPRING, WE PLAN TO OPEN THE OBSERVATORY ON CLEAR NIGHTS WHENEVER A VOLUNTEER IS AVAILABLE.
IF A VOLUNTEER PLANS TO OPEN FOR THE EVENING, A MESSAGE STATING THE START AND END TIME FOR VIEWING WILL BE POSTED AT THE NUMBER ABOVE BY 4:00 pm. Choose "Option 1" (hours).
Visiting | What to Bring | Objects We View | Volunteering |
Visiting the Observatory:
Viewing is first-come, first-served. Please note:
- All visitors must sign a release to access the tower; anyone under 18 must have an adult along to sign a release for them
- Children (12 and under) must be accompanied on the tower by an adult
Our Telescopes:
Our instruments include a 24" Newtonian reflector, a 6 " refractor,
a 13" Dobsonian reflector, and 11 x 80 astronomical binoculars.
The telescopes are housed atop a 45-foot tower, so visitors must be able to climb the spiral staircase to the tower deck as well as a ladder to the dome and a second ladder to the eyepiece of the larger telescope.
What You Can Expect to See:
The amount of viewing time and number of objects you can expect to see
depends on the number of volunteers, sky conditions, and whether other
visitors are waiting. Due to Fire Marshall rules, we can have a maximum
of 8 visitors on the tower structure at a time.
Typically, you can expect to view one object in the 24" reflector in the dome, and one in the 13" telescope or astronomical binoculars on the deck. If no one else is waiting, you may have more time on the tower.
The volunteer will choose objects to show, but if you have a request, let him or her know!
Please dress for the weather - all viewing is open-air! Be sure
to wear shoes suitable for climbing the stairs (the last flight is very
steep and narrow).
Other useful items...
- Binoculars add to the richness of the night sky. (We have a few to loan out.)
- Water: Our only access to drinking water is the restroom faucets.
- Star Chart. Current sky charts are available online at Skymaps, Sky and Telescope, or Heavens Above. (We may have some available, too.)
Flashlights, Cameras, Cell Phones & other glowing things:
We avoid using white light in the observing area. It takes several
minutes for eyes to adapt to the dark, and exposure to white light will
"reset" your eyes and reduce your night vision. While on the
tower, please keep flashlights off. Similarly, please do not open cell
phones or take a flash photograph without asking the telescope operator
first.
Youth group leaders:
you may wish to download our release
form and fill it out before you arrive.
Donations:
We request, but do not require, a donation of $3 per person, which goes
toward the purchase and maintenance of observing equipment and educational
materials.
- Solar System:
the Moon and any available planets; we also watch for flybys of the International Space Station and "Iridium Flare" satellites. - Stars:
constellations, double stars, bright stars and other notables such as red giants and blue supergiants - Deep-sky objects:
nebulae, open clusters, globular clusters, and galaxies
(Visit the "What's Up?" link for more information on these objects.)
Interested in Volunteering?
Haggart Observatory is operated entirely by volunteers; the more volunteers
we have, the more viewing events we can support. Experience in observational
astronomy a plus, but not required - we'll train!
Check out our Volunteering page! If interested, leave us a message by phone or email, or introduce yourself at one of our public viewings.
[this page last updated 11/13/07- kh]
What's Up?
(objects we view)
