WORTHY GARDEN CLUB STRIVES TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY AND WORLD A BETTER PLACE THROUGH NUMEROUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH INFLUENTIAL ORGANIZATIONS. EXPLORE ALL THE WAYS YOU CAN BECOME INVOLVED WITH OUR AWESOME CREW.
HOPSERVATORY
GARDENS
DARK SKIES
WINTER VIEWING SCHEDULE
November 1 - March 20
See what the Central Oregon night
sky has to offer! Open house viewing includes a peek through our 16-inch research-grade telescope. You’ll have the opportunity to gaze upon galaxies, planets, star clusters, nebulae and of course the Moon, guided by our resident astronomer, Grant.
WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY: 7-8PM
(WEATHER DEPENDENT)
No registration required; take the spiral staircase or elevator directly to the 3rd floor Hopservatory during open hours.
Interpreting the Clear Sky Clock:
In the rows labeled "cloud cover," find the column of blocks.
Darker blue = clear skies. White/gray blocks = cloudy.
Night viewing too late for you? Come view our neighboring star - the Sun! Our newly acquired Hydrogen Alpha solar telescope has protective filters to keep us safe as we view details on the solar surface like sun-spots, solar flares, prominences and filaments. This filtering effect allows you to see only glowing hydrogen gas and gives you the contrast to see the Sun for what it really is: a dynamic, seething, and occasionally violent place where immense amounts of energy and hot gas are flung into space.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY: 1-2PM
(WEATHER DEPENDENT)
No registration required; take the spiral staircase or elevator directly to the 3rd floor Hopservatory during open hours.
Want a more intimate experience
with the sky? Book a private tour for your friends, family, school group, or business associate.
$200/hour for 20 people
$50 extra/hour, per additional 10 people
Flexible rates available for school groups.
For more information or to schedule your private tour, please contact grant@worthygardenclub.com.
FAQS
Is there an entrance fee to visit the Hopservatory?
We don't charge admission but we do suggest a $5 donation per person for anyone over the age of 7. If you don't have cash, you can donate via PayPal at the top of our home page.
What if it's cloudy?
In the event of inclement weather, Hopservatory viewings may be cancelled. Email for viewing updates. If the demand is present, guests can take a peek at the equipment in the dome but won't be able to view through the telescope. Private tours will be contacted directly in the event of cloudy conditions. Chances are, if it's cloudy outside your window, we'll have less-than-optimal viewing at the Hopservatory.
Can the Hopservatory be rented out for an event?
The Hopservatory is quite small, so we cannot host events inside the dome, but it is available as an add-on to any booked event in WORTHY BREWING'S HOP MAHAL and includes guided viewing. Rates start @ $200. Email Rob at for more information. Payment and scheduling are made through Worthy Garden Club.
Can you bring beer into the Hopservatory?
Yes, we are located at a brewery, but no, beer is not allowed in the dome. Telescopes are expensive! You are welcome to plan your viewing around beer and food at the pub.
What can you expect to see through the telescope?
The objects we view at the Hopservatory depend on the season, time of night and weather conditions. We try our best to display "highlight" objects, and you can expect to view a few different objects throughout the night if you stick around for the entire program. These objects include but aren't limited to the Moon, planets within our solar system, binary stars, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and the occasional cosmic oddity.
