Chico Community Observatory, Astronomical observatory in Upper Bidwell Park, California, US

The Chico Community Observatory is an astronomical facility in Upper Bidwell Park that provides public access to telescopes and observational equipment. The facility allows visitors to observe planets, stars, and other celestial objects directly through its optical instruments.

The facility was established in 2001 and was later named in honor of Anita Ingrao, a dedicated volunteer and educator who passed away in 2014. This naming reflects her lasting contribution to astronomy education in the community.

The facility brings together people of all ages who share a curiosity about the sky and want to observe together. Visitors find a welcoming space where experienced volunteers help them discover the stories behind constellations and celestial events.

The observatory sits in upper Bidwell Park in Chico, California, and is run by volunteers of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Chico. Entry is free, with donations funding upkeep. Repairs have repeatedly closed it for months, as in summer 2017 when it shut for a year until batteries, air conditioning and the retractable roof were fixed in July 2018.

The observatory is named for Anita Ingrao, a volunteer since its 2001 opening who was invited to the White House in 2009 to teach children about science at a NASA-organized event. She died in 2014 at 51, and the facility now bears her name. It is directed by Bill Koperwhats.