by Alice Enevoldsen - Planetarium Specialist
Looking for →Which Telescope To
Buy?
Seattle Stargazing!
Looking for stars in Seattle? The farther you can get from
streetlights, the better. Darkness is what you need for the
best stargazing.* If you'd like to join other astronomy
enthusiasts, try one of these local events:
The →Seattle Astronomical Society
hosts stargazing parties
in two locations in Seattle.
- Green Lake Star Party: Green Lake star parties are on the north shore at a grassy area west of the Bathhouse Theater, near the fishing piers on the lake. July 12 and August 9 at 7 p.m.
- Paramount Park Star
Party: The park address is NE 155th and 8th NE in
Shoreline. July 12 and August 9 at 7 p.m.
The →UW Observatory Open House - look through the UW's 110-year-old refracting telescope, and listen to a short talk. The observatory is located in the northwest corner of the campus.
- July 2 and 16 at 9 p.m.
- August 6 and 20 at 9
p.m.
*Please use caution walking in the city in the dark. Also, be aware that many of Seattle's parks close at sunset.
Further Afield
Getting out of the city makes for even better views of the sky. Here are some of my favorite stargazing locations within a few hours of Seattle. Most of these are fee-based public areas.
Campground on Lake Kachess in the Cascades just off I-90. The boat ramp has a good view towards the Northeast (perfect for Perseid viewing). Be sure to talk to the ranger beforehand though, the boat ramp is in the "Day Use Only" section of the park. More info at →reserveamerica.com
Lake Ozette in Olympic National Park, near the tip of the Olympic Peninsula, has a good reputation. Stay near the water (out of the trees) for the best sights. Info: www.nps.gov
The Boeing Employee's Astronomical Society recommends Bowman Bay Campground in Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island. Info: www.parks.wa.gov
My favorite stargazing location, Staircase Campground in Olympic National Park, is closed due to road washout and should reopen sometime this summer. If you get there, sit on the bridge for the best views. More info at →www.nps.gov
The Perseid Meteor Shower
If you spend any time stargazing this summer, be sure not to miss the Perseid meteor shower.
- Dates: July 17-August 24
- Time: After midnight
- Best Viewing: August 12
12 a.m.-3 a.m.
To see the Perseids, turn to face the constellation Perseus, which will be rising in the Northeast a bit before midnight.
Want More?
Keep up with all of Alice’s Astro Info postings at her →Astro Info blog. If you have a site of your own and would like to add some very astute astronomical content, embed the widget below. Just click the share button.
About AstroInfo
Pacific Science Center's Planetarium and Stage Science department has an ongoing commitment to lifelong learning and keeping our teachers up-to-date with current astronomical happenings and discoveries. The approximately-monthly column "AstroInfo," written by Planetarium Specialist Alice Enevoldsen, is an attempt to answer common astronomical questions from the staff, and highlight interesting goings-on in the world of astronomy. If you have questions you would like addressed, please →email Alice.
AstroInfo is aimed at an audience of inquisitive adults, and we hope that everyone enjoys it.
About Alice Enevoldsen
Alice Enevoldsen has been working in planetariums since 1996, has a B.A. in Astronomy-Geology from Whitman College, and a Masters in Teaching from Seattle University. Her fascination with the stars led her to try her hand at astronomy research in Boston and Walla Walla, where she realized that her calling in life was actually to work in museums and be a translator for scientists. Now she works hard to show people who think science is confusing or hard why chemists, physicists, and biologists get so worked up - science is everywhere, and life's boring without discovery!