Looking up: Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory adds telescopes, exhibit space

(Update: Adding video, more info, comments from manager)

Observatory open house takes place Saturday

SUNRIVER, Ore (KTVZ) -- Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory is just one week away from completing a $500,000 observatory expansion.

The additions in the project included more exhibit space, a new electronic roof and six telescopes, one of which shows solar prominence around the sun.

“We actually can operate anywhere from 12 to 20 telescopes easily during a crowded night,” observatory manager Bob Grossfeld said Wednesday.

The additions are expected to make a big difference, as they will allow visitors to view more of the planets, stars and galaxies in the night sky in a shorter amount of time. Grossfeld said he'll be able to show people 10 to 14 targets in the sky, rather than being limited to six or eight.

“Wait times were super-long. People were waiting 10, 12 minutes to look through a telescope," Grossfeld said. "We had lines pretty deep. This last summer, I don’t think we had a line bigger than five people, and it was usually a family group around a telescope."

He expects an increase from the initial 200 to 300 guests that were coming in before the pandemic.

The changes also include serving the community by reservations only, to limit capacity. Additionally, the observatory will offer different programming, with viewing sessions ranging from 30 minutes to two hours. Private group sessions will also be provided.

The observatory expansion is just 'Phase 1' of the project, and Grossfeld said there are a few more things to wrap up.

“We still have some work to do inside the facility, as far as painting, as some the interior walls are still being finished up, and lighting and electrical are still being finished up," Grossfeld said.

An open house for the expanded observatory is set for this Saturday. Reservations are needed in order to attend.

Utility work has started for Phase 2 of the project, which is to construct a Discovery Center Planetarium. Grossfeld said they are in the fund-raising process and plan to have it completed in a couple of years.