BEND–The University of Oregon’s Pine Mountain Observatory, east of Bend, will open its doors and aim its telescopes skyward to kick off a summer of stargazing beginning with three-nights of celestial viewing over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

This weekend’s special Sunday night program is scheduled to help viewers take advantage of the Memorial Day holiday on Monday. Public programs will be presented on subsequent Friday and Saturday evenings through September.

New this year, visitors will have daytime opportunities to view the sun. A telescope fitted with a special filter will allow for the safe viewing of sunspots and other solar activity. A program called "How Astronomers Know What They Know, the Technologies and Science of Exploring Deep Space" will begin at 9 p.m. each night. All-night sky viewing will follow, if the weather is clear.

The observatory’s powerful 15-inch and 24-inch telescopes will be available to view the moon, star clusters and faraway galaxies. Amateur astronomers who serve as the Pine Mountain tour guides also will help viewers use several smaller telescopes as well as a pair of large naval binoculars.

Pine Mountain Observatory is the state’s only professional astronomical observatory and one of the few professional observatories in the world that is open to the public at night. Professional astronomers use the three large telescopes at Pine Mountain Observatory for research and educational purposes.

Due to the observatory’s high altitude, wear warm clothes to protect yourself from the night chill and bring a small flashlight covered with red cellophane to screen the white light. The environment is not suitable for infants and toddlers. Observatory staff requests a donation of $3 per person to help defray costs. Souvenirs are available at a small gift shop. There is a primitive–no water, no fees and no reservations–Forest Service campground just across from the observatory.

To reach Pine Mountain Observatory from Bend, take Highway 20 east toward Burns and drive 26 miles to Millican. Just beyond Millican, turn south on the dirt road and drive eight miles to the top of Pine Mountain. For Pine Mountain Observatory details, call Bend, (541) 382-8331.

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