Beaverton
Stargazing Guide.
Uncover the hidden celestial treasures of Beaverton, OR. From the verified horizons at cruise ship to the scientific Bortle Class 4 reports at Burroughs Mountain, your journey to the stars starts here.
Stargazing Logistics for Beaverton
- STEP 1. Primary Staging Area: cruise ship. This is your most reliable community-vetted hub within a ~12.6 mile radius.
- STEP 2. Sky Quality Baseline: Classified as Class B (Rural). Use the instrumented 4 rating from Burroughs Mountain as your technical benchmark for the region.
- STEP 3. Local Support: Contact Rose City Astronomers for updated site access and group observation schedules.
- STEP 4. Observation Density: There are 2 recognized sites near Beaverton offering varied horizons and atmospheric stability levels.
Beaverton acts as a primary gateway to the cruise ship zone. This proximity allows for scientific-grade viewing (Class 4) at Burroughs Mountain just a short 15-minute drive from the city center, making it a rare 'Hub' for serious observers.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Beaverton
For the best experience, target the late-night window between 1 AM and 4 AM in Beaverton. This is when local industrial lighting and residential 'sky glow' is at its minimum, and the most prominent Winter constellations are directly overhead at the zenith.
Expert Tips for Beaverton Observers
Don't underestimate the power of peripheral vision (averted vision). At sites near Beaverton, looking slightly to the side of a faint nebula will reveal much more detail than looking directly at it, especially when dealing with the Class 5+ suburban skies of the OR region. Scientific Context: While local conditions vary, the instrumented reading of Bortle 4 at Burroughs Mountain (99.2 miles away) remains the benchmark for regional sky quality.
Best Spots for Stargazing in Beaverton
The most accessible and reliable viewing locations in the region, ranked by local observer feedback. Pro Tip: Always bring a red-light flashlight to these Beaverton spots to preserve your night vision.
cruise ship
" Practically in Beaverton's backyard, we recommend this for spontaneous nights. Equipment Logic: Small aperture telescopes are actually more resilient to localized heat currents than large ones on suburban nights. "
Sasquatch Family Farms
" While it's a bit of a journey from Beaverton, the sky quality here is worth the fuel. Atmospheric Tip: Scintillation (star twinkling) is a sign of high-altitude turbulence. If stars are twinkling heavily, stick to low-magnification wide views. "
2026 Celestial Roadmap for Beaverton
Rural conditions near Beaverton provide excellent contrast for the Milky Way and bright star clusters.
Sky Quality Reports for Beaverton
Access high-precision SQM readings from the National Park Service, providing the definitive baseline for regional darkness quality. Discover which telescopes can best cut through the remaining regional skyglow to see these scientific targets by viewing our gear recommendations.
Burroughs Mountain
Mount Rainier NP
Local Relevance
Beaverton enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Burroughs Mountain to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Burroughs Mountain in Mount Rainier NP on 8/13/2007. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.28 SQM."
Plummer Peak
Mount Rainier NP
Local Relevance
Beaverton enthusiasts typically use the instrumented readings from Plummer Peak to calibrate their deep-sky expectations for the area.
"Sky quality measurements were recorded at Plummer Peak in Mount Rainier NP on 9/23/2005. The site demonstrated a scientific darkness reading of 21.09 SQM."
Dark Sky Oasis near Beaverton
Elite viewing locations officially recognized by DarkSky International for their pristine celestial environments. Certified dark skies like these are most rewarding when paired with the right aperture. Check out our suggested kit for Beaverton observers.
Sisters, Oregon
Beaverton stargazers often look to Sisters, Oregon as the gold standard for regional darkness and pristine celestial horizons.
Sisters City Hall 520 Cascade Avenue Sisters, OR 97702
Antelope, Oregon
Beaverton stargazers often look to Antelope, Oregon as the gold standard for regional darkness and pristine celestial horizons.
94237 McGreer St. Antelope, OR 97001
Astronomy Clubs for Beaverton
Join the local community of observers for group viewing events, equipment swaps, and technical workshops. Don't show up to the club dark-site empty-handed. View the field kit we've curated for the The Solar System Guide profile.
Gearing Up for Beaverton Nights
"For the manageable 20-mile commute from Beaverton, we recommend a "split-tube" or collapsible Dobsonian. It gives you the power of a large light bucket while still fitting comfortably in most standard Beaverton commuter vehicles."
The Beaverton Field Kit
Every observer in Beaverton eventually builds a "go-bag" tailored to our specific regional humidity and site accessibility. The difference between the Beaverton city center and the instrumented readings at sites 13 miles away is staggering, requiring optics that can handle both glare and deep contrast. Consider these categories as a roadmap for moving from casual backyard viewing to professional-grade observation near Beaverton.