Discover outer space at Goldendale Observatory

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public to attend Discover Outer Space – a Centennial 2013 event to view the transit of Venus across the sun at Goldendale Observatory State Park in Klickitat County.

The event runs from 3 p.m. to sunset June 5 at Goldendale Observatory State Park, 1602 Observatory Drive in Goldendale. In a rare celestial event, the orbit of Venus is traveling past the face of the sun. Visitors have the opportunity to watch this transit live from the observatory’s solar telescope. Video from the telescope will be displayed on the large screen monitor in the interpretive center indoor theater. Venus last crossed the face of the sun in 2004. The event will not happen again until December 2117. The Discover Pass is required to attend.

Discover Outer Space is one of many Centennial 2013 events leading up to the park system’s 100th birthday in 2013. Events include park fun days, tours, demonstrations, cultural, music and arts events, interpretive activities, recreation days and more. Upcoming events are Discover Health and Adventure – Deception Pass Challenge, a triathlon fitness challenge at Deception Pass State Park on June 16 and Discover Riverside, an open house-style park fun day at Riverside State Park on June 24. For information about State Parks events in this 100th celebration year, visit http://www.parks.wa.gov/events and watch for reminders on State Parks social media.

Goldendale Observatory State Park also is offering a viewing of the partial lunar eclipse from 2:30 to 5:15 a.m. June 4. During the event, one-third of the moon will be covered by Earth’s shadow. Visitors have an opportunity to see the reddish hue of the eclipsed third of the moon through the observatory’s telescopes. For more information, call (509) 773-3141.

Many state parks play host to a variety of events in June. Visit http://www.parks.wa.gov/events, http://www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks and http://www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS for information about events at Washington state parks.

Goldendale Observatory State Park is a five-acre educational facility on a 2,100-foot-high hilltop, 1.5 miles north of Main Street in the city of Goldendale. The observatory houses one of the nation's largest public telescopes, featuring a 24-inch Cassegrain reflecting telescope. Sky-watchers have viewed the universe at the observatory since its opening in 1973. The park offers views of the countryside from atop the observatory hill in the daytime and views of the space at night.

The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 99-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.

Support state parks by purchasing your Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit http://www.discoverpass.wa.gov.