Sisters Country rests on the edge of the largest area of dark sky in the Lower 48, which lies over Southeast Oregon. The Sisters backcountry and the high desert to our east offer some extraordinary opportunities to take in awe-inspiring views of the vault of the heavens.
The chance to experience soul-stirring encounters with the cosmos is part of the draw to Central Oregon.
Backpackers who venture into the Sisters backcountry can enjoy that experience when it’s at its best, viewing the core of the galaxy during the summer months. You can also touch it with a drive up the McKenzie Highway (Highway 242) to the summit, or venturing up Three Creek Road to the lakes or the snow parks.
The Perseid meteor shower will peak August 12-13.
Our local snow parks are a good place to view the sky, as is the high desert.
“You want to get to a place that has the lowest horizon around you, so you can see more of the sky,” he said.
For those enthralled by the night sky, a visit to the University of Oregon’s Pine Mountain Observatory is a worthy excursion during the summer season. Visit https://pmo.uoregon.edu for dates and more information. The Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory is another option. Visit https://snco.org for more information.
The City of Sisters has tightened up its code to support dark skies.
City of Sisters planning staff noted that, “Community-led efforts to educate the community of the importance of sensitive lighting on the ability to see the nighttime stars have also inspired this effort — most notably by the Astronomy Club with Sisters High School, who have provided community education about the impacts of lighting on the ability to see the stars at night and on wildlife and the environment.”
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