The Naming of Asterisk Observatory

When we were trying to come up with a name for the observatory, we brainstormed a lot of ideas. Many observatory names are associated with nearby geographic features or regional names, so that’s where we started our brainstorming session. The first ideas we came up with were, for example:

• Smith Rock Observatory…too confusing because while we’re next door neighbors, we’re not associated with the State Park

• Eastern Cascades Observatory…too similar to the Eastern Sierra Observatory in California

• Central Oregon Observatory…too similar to the Oregon Observatory at Sunriver

• Misery Ridge Observatory…too miserable

Eventually, the name Asterisk Observatory stuck. So where did the name Asterisk Observatory come from? First, the word asterisk etymologically comes from Greek and means ‘small star’. We are, indeed, the ‘Small Star Observatory’! Second, a prominent feature in the Smith Rock State Park skyline (which can be seen by taking a short walk across the street from Asterisk Observatory) is the Asterisk Pass. Can you see the diamond shaped rock poised precariously in Asterisk Pass? Can you spot the similarity between the Asterisk Observatory logo and the outline of Asterisk Pass?

Come on out to the Asterisk Observatory and you can see the Asterisk Pass namesake for yourself!