Goldendale Observatory Celebrates the Summer Solstice with Solar Education and Observation
The newly renovated observatory, which sits just one mile outside of Goldendale, is one of the few observatories available to the public in the entire nation.
Event attendees came from all over the Gorge to celebrate the Summer Solstice. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
By Cole Goodwin
The Goldendale Chamber of Commerce hosted a summer solstice celebration at Goldendale Observatory State Park from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday June 21st, 2022. Park attendees were invited to celebrate the longest day and shortest night of the year. Attendees could enjoy a hike around the park, art, food, and drink, look through three solar telescopes offering different views of the sun, enjoy interpretive talks from Washington State Park officials, enter a raffle to win prizes.
Peter Sinclair, of Washington State Parks Service looks at the sun through a solar telescope. A Park official told CCCNews that this particular solar telescopes set up for viewers, involved a special filtering technique for looking at the sun which is unique to Goldendale observatory. The filter allows the viewer to look at the sun and see the hydrogen gas and plasma that makes up the sun in great detail without distortion caused by the heat of the sun. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
A 24-inch telescope which sits inside the observatory was also available for visitors to look through. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Troy Carpenter, Goldendale Observatory Administrator’s educational interpretive talk was the highlight of the event. Carpenter wow’d audiences with his astronomical knowledge. Topics covered in his talk included nuclear fusion, what causes sun spots, solar maximum, solar minimum, the magnetic field of the sun, and how solar activity can influence the earth’s magnetic field.
Audiences could be heard ooing and awwing as Carpenter showed computer models illustrating how coronal mass ejections, such as the famous 1859 Carrington Event, impact Earth’s magnetic field. Carpenter showed the audience how massive coronal mass ejections can lead to geomagnetic storms on earth, rendering technology useless.
The interpretive talk space features new TVs, the periodic table, and interactive learning tools, such as globes, telescopes, and a scale that will tell you how much you weigh on other planets. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
The presentation from Carpenter was followed up by a Goldendale Observatory history presentation from Steve Stout, retired former director of the park. Stout told the tale of how despite being such a rare and valuable commodity, the observatory had struggled to get adequate funding for many decades-although you’d never know it by the way it looks now.
Because what was once a tiny building full of a few visionary humans and a telescope has now transformed into an educational and interactive experience set amongst beautiful views of sloping hills and mountains.
The observatory at sunset. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
The newly renovated observatory as seen from the parking lot. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Friends of Gorge Parks (FOGP), a volunteer organization which helps support four Washington State Parks in the Columbia River Gorge area (Goldendale Observatory State Park, Columbia Hills State Park, Maryhill State Park, and Books Memorial State Park) also spoke briefly about their dedication to continuing to support the observatory at the event.
Carriger Solar Project, which helped to sponsor the event also spoke briefly to the audience.
Carriger Solar has proposed construction of a solar project just outside of Goldendale which would generate up to 160 megawatts. That’s enough to power approximately 32,500 homes.
Two visitors enjoy some food and drink from the gift shop counter while an interpretive talk happens in the background. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
WA State Parks administrator, Troy Carpenter said that the event was a total success, “Once again we’ve had a successful event. People like this place because it’s interesting and lucky me I get to work in this interesting place!
We had beautiful clear conditions, blue sky, not a single cloud to worry about. Everyone got to see the sun in three different ways and we got to hear some history stories, and people ate some food and learned a few things and made some donations too, which we really appreciate. Donations really help us keep this place running. So all in all I’m grateful for the event and I’m grateful we did it.”
Park visitors traverse the pathway around the observatory, taking time to read plaques inlaid in the concrete. Each plaque shares information about one of the planets in the solar system. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Missed the event?
See the sun now, via NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.
Check out one of Goldendale observatories educational videos.
Or watch: Could Solar Storms Destroy Civilization? to learn more about how solar flares and coronal mass ejections could impact modern society.
The presentation desk at the observatory is tricked out with all the tools an astronomer might need while giving a presentation. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Plan a trip to the Goldendale Observatory
Goldendale Observatory, located at 1602 Observatory Dr, Goldendale, WA 98620 is open from April through September, Thursday through Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. Evening shows run from 9 p.m. to midnight. Drop-ins for groups of 5 or fewer are recommended. Larger groups must provide advance notice by registering here.
Admission is free during operating hours, a Washington State Parks Discover Pass is required to park on-site. Discover passes are available for purchase at the observatory.
This June there will be a rare “planet parade” of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will be viewable in the eastern or southeastern predawn sky, about an hour before sunrise. While this event will occur all month long, according to Sky & Telescope the best day to view the “planet parade” will be on June 24th! This skywatching event is a rare treat that won’t occur again until 2040 so be sure to mark your calendars and get up to Goldendale Observatory!
Learn more at GoldendaleObservatory.com
To learn more about things to do in Goldendale, WA visit GoldendaleChamber.org.
