Umpqua Stargazer – October 2026
October 1, 2026
Read the full Umpqua Stargazer column for complete observing details, dates, viewing tips, and information on upcoming astronomy programs and events.
UCC will open at 10am today.
UCC will open at 10am today.
Wonders of the Milky Way Galaxy – Friday, September 11
The observatory 2026 summer season concludes September 11 at 8:15 p.m. The public is invited to come to the observatory for a program about wonders of the Milky Way Galaxy including nebula and star clusters with live images from the observatory telescopes.
Bring your folding chairs or blankets to sit under the stars, a warm jacket and enjoy the live program.
Read the full Umpqua Stargazer column for complete observing details, dates, viewing tips, and information on upcoming astronomy programs and events.
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
|
Saturday, June 13 Summer Astronomy Program Kickoff! |
9:30 p.m. |
|
Friday, July 10 Explore stellar formation from protostars to planetary nebula. |
9:30 p.m. |
|
Friday, August 7 Explore the heart of the Milky Way Galaxy, nebula and star clusters. |
9:30 p.m. |
|
Thursday, August 27 Come see the shadow of the earth engulf the lunar disk. |
8:30 p.m. |
|
Friday, September 11 Explore late summer and early fall skies. |
8:00 p.m. |
Do you have a telescope that has been sitting in your closet or garage or maybe even under the bed? Well, dust it off and bring it to the Beginners Telescope User Workshop Moon Watch.
Get help setting up and using your telescope to look at the Moon. Local amateur astronomers from Umpqua Astronomers will help the observatory staff to guide your successful Moon observations.
No telescope? No problem! Umpqua Astronomers will have different telescopes on hand to look at the Moon and more.
Aug. 2 • 8 pm
Location: UCC Technology Building East Side Tennis Courts
Star Formation, Nebula to Star Clusters & Galaxies
Apr. 25 • 8:30 p.m.
Indoor Viewing
UCC Moon Watch — Explore the first Quarter Moon
Beginning Telescope User Workshop
May 3 • 9pm
Indoor Viewing
Star Formation, Young & Old Stars & Galaxies
May 16 • 9:30pm
Indoor Viewing
UCC Moon Watch — Explore the first Quarter Moon
Beginning Telescope User Workshop
June 7 • 9pm
Outdoor Viewing
Galaxies Galore
June 20 • 10pm
Outdoor Viewing
UCC Moon Watch — Explore the first Quarter Moon
Beginning Telescope User Workshop
July 5 • 9:30pm
Outdoor Viewing
Summer Stars & Constellations
July 20 • 10pm
Outdoor Viewing
UCC Moon Watch — Explore the first Quarter Moon
Beginning Telescope User Workshop
Aug. 2 • 9:30pm
Outdoor Viewing
Summer Stars, Nebula & Globular Clusters
Aug. 15 • 9:30pm
Outdoor Viewing
Late Summer Stars, Nebula & Fall Galaxies
Sept. 12 • 8:30pm
Outdoor Viewing
Lunar Occulation of Pleiades Star Cluster & Saturn
Oct. 9 • 8:30pm
Outdoor Viewing
Indoor Events: Please dress warmly since the observatory is not heated and can be very chilly with the roof open for the telescopes. Seating is limited to 25 and will be available on a first-come first-served basis.
Outdoor events: Cloudy or clear, we will have an event. Only rain will cause us to cancel. If clear, visitors are encouraged to bring their telescope or binoculars to explore the moon with the help of members of the Umpqua Astronomers Club, check out various UA member’s telescopes, or sit back and enjoy a guided tour of the moon. Park in the lower lot at the Technology Center and walk uphill. Please arrive early for handicapped parking available at the top of the hill. Admission is free.
The Paul Morgan Observatory was designed and built by UCC professor Dr. Paul Morgan in 2016 as part of the beginning astronomy program and community outreach. It provides onsite and online viewings of the Sun and night sky, is the only public observatory in southern Oregon, and is the only all-digital observatory in the Northwest.
The Observatory in Roseburg features five permanently installed telescopes (four refractors and one solar scope), as well as high-powered reflector telescopes.
Rather than having visitors look directly through an eyepiece (“eyeball to eyepiece”), all of their telescopes are equipped with digital cameras. These cameras transmit real-time, color images of the moon, planets, and deep-sky objects directly to large monitors for group viewing.
Field trips are available for grades 3 – 12 to visit the Morgan Observatory or bring a guest astronomer into your classroom to share live images of the sun, planets, stars, and galaxies. A variety of programs are available to meet your class needs.
The observatory is located near the Tower Building at UCC. Limited parking is available around the Tower Building. However, there is more parking down the hill from the observatory in front of the Technology Center. For more information, see map.
The observatory is handicap accessible and is designed for wheelchair viewing of the TV monitors. Images are seen in real-time in color on large screen TV monitors allowing for group presentations. Simultaneously, the presentations with images can be broadcast online.