Jerry Oltion

Beginning in mid-December, Springfield Public Library cardholders can check out a telescope for free, thanks to a donation from the Eugene Astronomical Society.

Jerry Oltion is a longtime science fiction writer whose credits include several officially licensed Star Trek novels. Following the death of Sir Patrick Stewart, the Eugene author is remembering one of science fiction's most recognizable stars.

Since mid-July, comet NEOWISE, named for the ‘Near Earth Object’ explorer that found it, has been visible after sunset. This week a local astronomer…