Pine Mountain Observatory, Research observatory in central Oregon, United States.
Pine Mountain Observatory is a research facility with three telescopes positioned at an elevation of about 6,000 feet (1,800 meters) in the Oregon Badlands, roughly 26 miles (42 kilometers) from Bend. The site takes advantage of the clear air and dark skies in this remote mountain region for scientific observations and educational work.
The University of Oregon established this observatory in 1967 after professors conducted extensive research on sky conditions at different mountain locations. The high elevation and dark skies at this site made it an excellent choice for telescope operations.
The observatory gives students and young visitors a chance to see how real astronomy works and to participate in observation projects. Many people come here to look through a large telescope for the first time and understand what astronomers actually do.
The facility is open to visitors on weekends from late May through September, with observations happening around sunset. Visitors should bring warm clothes since temperatures drop significantly at night at this high elevation, even during warmer months.
The facility partners with a Japanese university to observe asteroids and create detailed three-dimensional models based on how their light changes over time. This international partnership allows for discoveries about space objects that would be difficult to make otherwise.
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