The Sunset Bay Astronomy Festival will return to Oregon’s coast from September 25 to 27, offering three nights of star parties, hikes, and family-friendly activities at Sunset Bay and Shore Acres state parks near Coos Bay. Organizers say the annual event gives visitors a rare chance to see the night sky free from city light pollution while learning more about the universe.
The festival opens Thursday evening with a photography workshop led by park staff, where participants can learn how to capture the Milky Way and other celestial scenes using long-exposure techniques.
Throughout the weekend, guided hikes and interpretive talks will introduce visitors to natural features and constellations visible in the September sky. Children can take part in junior ranger programs designed to explain basic astronomy in simple terms.
Each night at 8 p.m., Shore Acres will host a star party with telescopes set up by operators who guide the public through views of Saturn, star clusters, galaxies, and the arc of the Milky Way. Park manager Lee Ricci says the setting allows people to see up to 2,500 stars on a clear night, compared to a few hundred in most cities.
Astronomers point out that the timing offers good viewing conditions. Late September skies feature the autumn constellations, including Pegasus rising in the east. Saturn may still be visible low in the west, while the Andromeda Galaxy can sometimes be spotted with the naked eye. The moon will be in its crescent phase during the festival’s first nights, leaving skies darker for stargazing.
Visitors are advised to dress warmly, bring a red-filter flashlight to protect night vision, and download a stargazing app to help identify what they see. Parking at Shore Acres requires a $10 day-use permit. Because events depend on weather, attendees are encouraged to check forecasts before traveling.
To join the photography workshop, advance registration is required by emailing Kenneth.Page@oprd.oregon.gov.
For more information on schedules and activities, contact Rose Shimberg at rshimberg@salem.gannett.com, who is covering the event for local media.