Friends of the Goldendale Observatory

Friends of Goldendale Observatory is dedicated to upholding the purposes and efforts of the amateur astronomers and community college who built the Observatory's historic 24 inch telescope. It honors their intent that the telescope be located where a dark night sky is valued and protected from the damaging effects of light pollution in order to best serve the the public, educators and students, amateur astronomers, and future generations wanting to experience the inspiring beauty of our night sky natural heritage.

As a condition of acquiring ownership of the famous 24 inch telescope before the Observatory was even built - Goldendale and Klickitat County promised first to protect the telescope from light pollution. It wasn’t until six years after the Observatory's completion that the city and county adopted rudimentary lighting codes. Unfortunately, decades of failing to educate the public about the importance of dark skies and promote and realistically enforce these codes has demonstrated that protecting the night sky is not a priority. Prohibited lighting is found even on city and county owned properties. The International Dark-Sky Association noted this apparent lack of support for night sky conservation, which contributed to the loss of the Observatory’s prestigious International Dark Sky Park designation - the first in the world Dark Sky IDA certification ever to be revoked.

MASON TRINCA/Yakima Herald-Republic

Light pollution from Goldendale as seen at the Observatory

The reality of 40 years worth of unrestrained light pollution - visible as the illumination of the south side of the Goldendale Observatory on a clear moonless night - coming directly from the City of Goldendale and surrounding Klickitat County.

Satellite measurements of light pollution

Downtown Goldendale: Klickitat Co. Courthouse with prohibited lighting

Actions speak louder than words

While promoting the Goldendale Observatory as a "marketing tool" for "economic and commercial gain," the failure to educate the public about or promote the lighting codes demonstrates that local political and business interests don't really care about the Observatory's purpose, the majestic beauty of the its star-filled night sky, or the Washington State taxpayers' substantial investment in their community.

Until this situation changes, taxpayers, students, educators, amateur astronomers, and those coming from around the world, should consider whether they wish to patronize and support the local restaurants, gas stations, and hotels whose only desire is to exploit the Observatory as a tourist attraction, yet continue to fail to show any obligation - let alone desire - to protect and conserve its essential night sky quality.

"When my grandkids come to visit from Portland, they say 'Grandma, you have so many more stars than us.' But people don't realize that if we don't do something, our grandchildren may not be able to lay in the grass and gaze at the stars. That's happening all over the place, and so people are coming here to have that opportunity."

Earlene Sullivan, Goldendale

The Goldendale Observatory State Park belongs to the citizens of Washington. The irreplaceable night sky of the Observatory is a public natural resource, and merits conservation and protection for all of us, our children, and generations to follow.