Southern Oregon Skywatchers

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Medford, OR
Southern Oregon Skywatchers

We offer the Rogue Valley community many types of fun events: monthly gatherings, star parties, tele Look for large dark double doors, past a chain link fence.

We meet every third Wednesday of the month at the North Medford High School Planetarium at 1900 North Keene Way Drive. (Go all the way around the right side of the school to the very back. Come through the doors and go straight down the hall to the planetarium.) All meetings start at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. We usually hold star parties on Saturdays nearest the new moon when weather permi

ts. Our summer observing site is located approximately 10 miles east of Ashland, at an elevation of 5260'. Use of the property is allowed by special permission only. When the party is on, we meet there starting around sunset. Directions from Interstate 5:

Take Ashland Exit 14
From the overpass, proceed East (away from town) on Ashland St. (Hwy. 66)
Proceed on Highway 66 for 1/2 mile to the Ashland Municipal Airport
Turn Left on Dead Indian Memorial Road
Follow Dead Indian Road up to mile marker #13
Turn left on (Upper) Shale City Road; the road is narrow, but paved
Follow Shale City Road for 1/2 mile
Look for a dirt driveway on the right -- this is the driveway onto the site
Follow the driveway
You have arrived. Our primary winter observing site is located approximately 5 miles east of Ashland, at an elevation of 3400'. (Hwy. 66)
Proceed on Highway 66 for 1/2 mile to the Ashland Municipal Airport
Turn Left on Dead Indian Memorial Road
Follow Dead Indian Road for 6.7 miles
Turn left on (Lower) Shale City Road; the road is paved
Follow Shale City Road for 0.3 miles
The site is on the left side of the road
The site is gated but will be unlocked once an SOS officer arrives.

03/11/2026

Guest Speaker Kyle Sullivan

March 18th 2026
North Medford High School Planetarium
7:00
Open to the public
Free
https://www.orskywatchers.org/

Prepare to embark on a celestial journey with Kyle Sullivan as he unravels the secrets of capturing the night sky in all its splendor. In this engaging presentation, you'll discover how to locate pristine dark sky sites away from urban light pollution, explore the essential gear—from smartphones to DSLR cameras—that transforms your nightly snapshots into stellar masterpieces, and learn about apps that elevate your shooting skills. Kyle will also touch on the art of post-processing, empowering you to polish your images to perfection. Whether you're a novice armed with a trusty cell phone or a DSLR enthusiast, these practical, easy-to-follow tips will help you create night sky photos that truly are out of this world.

12/14/2025

Join us to welcome guest speaker Tim Thompson from the Mt Wilson Institute for,
“A Universe of Stars”
A general look about the physical and observational properties of stars, stellar evolution, and the eventual fate of our own sun & solar system.

Please drive around to the back of the school. The gym collapse still is effecting the sports parking lots.

https://www.orskywatchers.org/

December Club Meeting
North Medford High School Planetarium
December 17th 2025
7:00
Open to the public
Free

10/01/2025

Join Southern Oregon Skywatchers and the WORLD for International Observe the Moon Night.
Saturday October 4th.
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Ashland Middle School 100 Walker Ave Ashland.
Free - Open to the public

Take a look through telescopes and get amazing views of the moon and other celestrial objects like Saturn, clusters, nebula, and more.

International Observe the Moon Night is a time to come together with fellow Moon enthusiasts and curious people worldwide. Everyone on Earth is invited to learn about lunar science and exploration, take part in celestial observations, and honor cultural and personal connections to the Moon.

08/30/2025

Just a reminder - Moon part tonight starting around 7:30 in Culver Park, Phoenix OR Stop by anytime to catch a glimps of the moon. Saturn rises a little after 9:30. The rings are edge on!

04/09/2025

April Club Meeting
Wednesday April 16th, 2025

North Medford High School Planetarium
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Free - Open to the public

Club President Megan Laurenti is welcoming spring with a constellation show using the star dome. If you have not had a chance to see the planetarium in action this is the perfect opportunity.

Space exploration has long been the domain of daring astronauts and sophisticated spacecraft. However, in recent years, a new breed of explorers has emerged, one that transcends human limitations to venture boldly into the unknown — robots. NASA Solar System Ambassador, Colin White, explores the use of robotics in space.

Please note - due to the gym roof collapse the ally next to the gym is closed during demolition and construction. Follow N Keene Way past the front of the school to the far side and come around using the back route.

03/14/2025

Join us the the March Southern Oregon Skywatchers Club meeting.

Wednesday - March 19, 2025
7:00 -8:30 PM
North Medford Planetarium
Free- Open to public

note - the North Medford Gym collapse may have the gym side access road blocked. Drive around the front of the school to access the planetarium from the back side.

Please come in and help us to welcome guest speaker Chris Hoeber for “What we did between Cold Wars.”
Chris Hoeber is an engineering consultant specializing in spacecraft propulsion systems. In this presentation he will focus on electric propulsion systems and how they are used today in spacecraft projects. He will also discuss his experiences of working in the Soviet Union to develop a joint US and Russian electric propulsion system.

Club member Jarred Long will also share a short presentation on his recent ball mount Newtonian telescope.

03/14/2025

It looks like it might clear off just enough for us to catch a glimpse.

Lunar Eclipse tonight ! Starting around 9:30 and reaching max at MIDNIGHT

11/19/2024

Come join us for this months club meeting and presentations.

November Club Meeting
Wednesday November 20th
North Medford High School Planetarium
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Free - Open to the public
Megan Laurenti will lead off by turning on the star dome and showing off a tour of winter constellations. If you have not had a chance to see the new Digistar 7 planetarium in action this will be a real treat.
Sean Curry has been following recurrent nova T Coronae Borealis. With over 1300 observations recorded with the AAVSO I am excited to see what Sean has to share about the Blaze Star.

https://www.aavso.org/

https://www.orskywatchers.org/

10/14/2024

Join us this Wednesday October 16th for Robert Black and an exciting presentation on black holes. Also over the next couple of night be sure to check out Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas in the western skies just after sunset. A naked eye comet ready to delight.

Wednesday October 16th
7:00 PM
North Medford High School Planetarium
Free-open to the public

09/14/2024

Sorry. It looks like we will be fully clouded out for International Observe the moon night. We are looking to reschedule a public outreach in the future.

Wednesday the 18th will be out September Club Meeting check out the website for details.
https://www.orskywatchers.org/

09/10/2024

Come join us for International Observe the Moon Night
Saturday September 14th
ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum Ashland
7:00 PM - 9:00
https://moon.nasa.gov/observe-the-moon-night/

Next week we have our Monthly Meeting
Wednesday September 18th
North Medford High School Planetarium
7:00-8:30

Daniel Otte begins with observation report - Completing the Astronomical League Sunspotter Program with a 70mm donated telescope.

Colin White Presents "Europa Clipper: Journey to an Ocean World"

Our September Dark Site Observing night is September 28th.
Check out the website for more details.
https://www.orskywatchers.org/

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Medford, OR
97504

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http://www.orskywatchers.org/

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