The Tri-City Astronomy Club (TCAC) and LIGO journeyed across the border in August to assist with the annual Star Party of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla, east of Pendleton, Oregon. Primary sponsor of the event was the Cay-Uma-Wa chapter of AISES, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. AISES member and environmental scientist John Cox organized the involvement of TCAC, the CT Umatilla Recreation Department and LIGO.

The evening's activity reminded the participants that astronomy is excellent recreation. Along a narrow road high on a hillside above the Umatilla community of Mission, with the wind gently rustling through the neighboring fields, the stars emerged from the darkening sky as if controlled by cosmic dimmer switches. TCAC members Mark Bryant and Art Stithem located several nebulae after sufficient darkness. Guests who hiked up the hillside were rewarded with a variety of great views of these and other distant objects.

Participants noted a basic principle of observational astronomy. Once a nearly full moon appears in the sky, little else remains visible. Fortunately the moon is an interesting target, especially near the terminator, the line of separation between the illuminated and dark portions of the face.