Did you know winter is one of the best times to stargaze? It may be cold out, but your friendly neighborhood library can help you make the most of your free time this winter — outside and in.
Explore the winter sky
In winter, nights are longer and the cold air holds less moisture. When it’s clear out, it’s the perfect time to look to the skies. There’s some incredible stargazing spots in the Pacific Northwest to check out:
- Goldendale Observatory State Park (Washington): With free public telescope viewings and guided programs, this is a must-see spot. Heads up: All visits are by appointment only. If you arrive later than the 7 pm start time you may not be allowed to look through the telescope!
- Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory (Central Oregon): Built in 1991, this observatory is home to the nation’s largest collection of publicly viewable telescopes. They hold winter star sessions on Wednesday and Saturday nights from November to February, where you can enjoy educational talks and a guided tour of the constellations.
- Haggart Observatory at Clackamas Community College (Clackamas): This observatory partners with Rose City Astronomers to host free public viewings throughout the year. While they don’t have any listed in the next couple months, make sure to bookmark their events calendar to find out when the next free stargazing session will take place!
- Cottonwood Canyon State Park (North central Oregon): This park along the John Day River is the third certified International Dark Sky Park in Oregon. This means the quality of stargazing is exceptional. Since 2020, the park’s recorded the night sky’s brightness with a meter, and rangers host regular stargazing events. There’s no observatory, so plan to bring your own telescope, binoculars, or rent a telescope from Rose City Astronomers to enhance your experience.
Want to enjoy the stars a little closer to home? Check out this roundup of spots near town!
Keep an eye out for these constellations
December brings some of the best and brightest constellations to town. Make sure to check them out while the stars are in your favor! Some winter constellations of note include Orion, Gemini, Taurus and the Pleiades cluster.
Plus, the Geminids meteor shower is due to peak in mid-December during a waning crescent moon. On December 13 and 14, this meteor shower will decorate the sky with meteors that’ll take your breath away. Make sure to put this one in your calendar — if there’s only one time this season you get out to go stargazing, try to make it happen during this remarkable period.
Take a library book out stargazing
If you’re heading out on a stargazing trip this winter, enjoying a book from the library could be the perfect solution to pass the time as you wait for it to get dark out. Check out our curated list of books around outdoor winter activities in the PNW. Find reads on astronomy and constellations, plus guides to outdoor adventures, so you can plan the perfect day — and night — under the stars.
Want to make a whole weekend of it? Try combining a stargazing trip with daytime hikes in spots with low light pollution. When you’re getting ready to stargaze, we recommend wearing extra layers, setting up a cozy spot with a warm blanket and a camping chair, and bringing a thermos of your favorite warm beverage of choice. Plus, don’t forget a red-light headlamp, so you can read library books without losing night vision!
Find your book horoscope
If you want a suggestion about what to read next, may we suggest a book based on your zodiac sign?
- Aries: Kusama: The Graphic Novel by Elisa Macellari
- Taurus: Radiant: The Life and Line of Keith Haring by Brad Gooch
- Gemini: Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy by Damien Lewis
- Cancer: I Know What I Am: The Life and Times of Artemisia Gentileschi by Gina Siciliano
- Leo: Kubrick: An Odyssey by Robert Phillip Kolker
- Virgo: Zodiac: A Graphic Memoir by Weiwei Ai
- Libra: Mark Rothko: Toward the Light in the Chapel by Annie Cohen-Solal
- Scorpio: Plath: Poems by Sylvia Plath
- Sagittarius: The Memory Librarian: and Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe
- Capricorn: The Notebooks by Jean-Michel Basquiat
- Aquarius: The Selected Works of Audre Lorde by Audre Lorde
- Pisces: Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic, edited by Eugenie Tsai
Remember, astrology and astronomy may be worlds apart — but both are beautiful reminders of humanity’s habit to look to the stars for inspiration.
Enjoy daytime winter fun at the library
More of a morning person? Get sleepy fast when the sun sets? Our libraries are hosting plenty of fun winter programs in the light of day this winter! Whether you’d like to say hello to some bugs, pet some goats, or learn about edible native plants, you’ll have a stellar time at the library. Explore our full calendar to see what’s coming up!
No matter how you enjoy the winter, whether that’s wrapped in cozy blankets under the stars or cuddled up on your couch, we’re here at your local library to help you make the most of the season.
Reading lists
The Art of Astrology: Star signs and their artists from Multcolib
Star light, the stars are bright! Check out these books featuring the signs of of zodiac and their artistic companions.
Winter stargazing and outdoor adventures in the Pacific Northwest from Multcolib
Don't just hibernate this winter! Get outside and look around. There's a whole universe out there! These books about celestial bodies, outdoor activities, and Pacific Northwest hikes are a great starting point for winter viewing and an excuse for some hot cocoa, extra whipped cream.
