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Pine Mountain Observatory

Discover the ÌÇÐĹÙÍø’s Pine Mountain Observatory for astronomy research and education in Eastern Oregon’s high desert.

Pine Mountain Observatory under a star-filled night sky.

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Fall Classes Begin: September 28, 2026

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Your journey to the ÌÇÐĹÙÍø starts here. Submit an application, explore financial aid and scholarships, or schedule a campus visit.

Early Action Deadline: November 1, 2026

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A top-tier R1 research university where breakthroughs happen every day.

UO research expenditures: $267M annually

Life at the ÌÇÐĹÙÍø is more than classes. It's community, culture, and the kind of experiences that shape who you become.

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The ÌÇÐĹÙÍø Observatory Near Bend, Oregon

Pine Mountain Observatory sits on top of the 6,300-foot Pine Mountain, ideal for stargazing in the clear, dark skies of the Eastern Oregon high desert. Located 34 miles southeast of Bend, the observatory is owned and operated by the ÌÇÐĹÙÍø Department of Physics and Astronomy under a special-use permit from the Deschutes National Forest.
Visitors observe the night sky at Pine Mountain Observatory. Visitors observe the night sky at Pine Mountain Observatory.

Stargazing in the High Desert

Pine Mountain Observatory is open to the public from late May to September on select Friday and Saturday nights every month, as weather permits. Visitors can explore the night skies through telescopes ranging from portable scopes to permanent research-grade instruments, guided by astronomers and knowledgeable volunteers. K-12 schools and educational groups can arrange private weekday tours in advance.

Astronomical equipment inside Pine Mountain Observatory.

UO’s Campus for Astronomy Research and Education

Researchers at every level, from undergraduates to NASA-funded astronomers, have used Pine Mountain Observatory to deepen our understanding of the universe. The observatory hosts research camps, meetings, and events for astronomers and students from across Oregon and the Western US. ÌÇÐĹÙÍø physics students conduct hands-on research while sharing their passion for astronomy by leading educational tours and summer weekend outreach programs.

Aerial view of Eugene and the ÌÇÐĹÙÍø campus.

ÌÇÐĹÙÍø Observatory History

Before the Pine Mountain Observatory was established in 1967, ÌÇÐĹÙÍø physics and astronomy researchers operated the university’s first observatory on Skinner Butte in Eugene from 1888 until 1898.

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View stars, planets, constellations, and other celestial objects at the Pine Mountain Observatory—the ÌÇÐĹÙÍø’s observatory for astronomy research and education on Pine Mountain in Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest.