Cascade Astronomy Academy Hosts Free 2.5-Hour Moon Viewing in Bend

Q: Could urban light pollution in Bend's Old Mill District actually ruin the stargazing experience for this global lunar event?

No. Urban light pollution in Bend’s Old Mill District could reduce how many faint stars or deep-sky objects people see, but it is unlikely to ruin this event, which is centered on the Moon. The Moon is by far one of the brightest night-sky targets, and telescope viewing of it remains strong even in cities. Light pollution mainly harms views of dim objects by brightening the background sky, a problem known as skyglow. That matters much more for the Milky Way, faint nebulae, or galaxies than for lunar observing. NASA’s International Observe the Moon Night is also designed as a broad public outreach event, and many official and partner programs are held in developed urban settings rather than remote dark-sky sites. That said, the Old Mill District is a commercial public plaza near businesses and bridge lighting, so local glare and sky brightness could make “other celestial objects” harder to see than they would be from darker areas outside town. Visitors should expect the Moon to be the main attraction, with brighter objects such as some planets or star clusters offering the best chance of successful viewing beyond that. For organizers, the practical fix is not changing the event site but managing expectations and setup: aim telescopes away from direct lights, use shields where possible, and emphasize lunar detail and bright showcase targets. In that format, the event can still succeed even under urban lighting.

1 articles · Updated · Central Oregon Daily · Sep 19

Sept. 19 brings a free public telescope viewing in Bend, where the Cascade Astronomy & Rocketry Academy will host moon watching from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Central Plaza in the Old Mill District.
Several telescopes will be available for visitors to view the moon and other celestial objects during the event, according to academy director Robert Grossfeld.
NASA’s International Observe the Moon Night is the backdrop for the gathering, which will also offer information about the moon and the upcoming Cascade Astronomy Festival.