| Goldendale Observatory State Park Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location in the state of Washington  Goldendale Observatory State Park (the United States) | |
| Location | Goldendale, Klickitat, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 45°50′20″N 120°48′55″W / 45.83889°N 120.81528°W[1] |
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Elevation | 2,106 ft (642 m)[1] |
| Established | October 13, 1973 |
| Operator | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |
| Website | Goldendale Observatory |
Goldendale Observatory State Park is an educational facility on the northern side of Goldendale, Washington, notable for its unusually large public telescope. The state park occupies five acres (2.0 ha) atop a 2,100-foot (640 m) hill.
Access is via a winding paved road through an oak forest. The site includes a small picnic area, interpretive center, amphitheater, and the observatory.[2]
There are several telescopes on-site, including portable Dobsonians, a permanently mounted Hydrogen-Alpha solar telescope, and the primary instrument; a 24.5-inch reflector which is housed in the South Dome. The facility receives 30-40,000 visitors annually. In 2022, the Observatory reopened after a lengthy renovation process.[3]
- ^ a b "Goldendale Astronomical Observatory". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ "Goldendale Observatory State Park". Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
- ^ Marzeles, Lou (April 13, 2022). "The Observatory Reopens". The Goldendale Sentinel. Retrieved May 31, 2024.