Sonoma State Observatory
Image: Wikimedia Commons
On the southeastern corner of the Sonoma State University campus in Rohnert Park, California, the Sonoma State Observatory has been opening its telescopes to students and the public since the 1970s. Rebuilt from the ground up in 2017, it remains one of the North Bay's most accessible public observatories.
About Sonoma State Observatory
Owned and operated by Sonoma State University, the observatory supports both teaching and public outreach, giving students hands-on experience with real instruments while hosting regular evenings for the wider community.
History
The observatory was established in 1976, when professors George Johnston, Joe Tenn, and Gordon Spear built a modest 12-by-24-foot sliding-roof structure to house the university's first telescopes, a Celestron 10-inch and 14-inch. After the original building closed and sat unused for several years, the university replaced it with a new 10-by-20-foot split-roof facility called TELE-STATION 5, which had its grand opening on 8 September 2017.
Location & getting there
The observatory sits at 1801 East Cotati Avenue in Rohnert Park, California, on the university's campus in Sonoma County, an easy stop for anyone visiting the North Bay wine country.
Visiting Sonoma State Observatory
The observatory hosts monthly Public Nights along with additional Friday events through the year; anyone planning a visit can call ahead on 707.664.2880 or check the university's website for the current schedule.
See your named star from here
Because every star named through star-register.eu is registered with precise coordinates, a university observatory like this one can, in principle, aim its telescopes at exactly that point in the sky. Browse the star catalogue or pick a naming package to get started.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.