The Cincinnati Observatory’s flagship telescope saw its first light from the stars 180 years ago!

Join us at the observatory to celebrate this historic instrument and our founder, Ormsby Mitchel. The event will include two featured presentations - Phil Shoemaker will discuss Mitchel’s role in the procurement of the telescope, while John Briggs will describe how the 1845 refractor compared to other telescopes of the era (specifics on talks and speakers). Observatory staff will be available in period accurate clothing and a tintype antique photographer will be on-site to take guests back to the early days of astronomy in Cincinnati. Honoring Mitchel’s original fundraising for the telescope at $25 a share, guests that pay the commemorative admission price will receive an exclusive, limited edition lapel pin depicting the Mitchel telescope.

Tickets - $25 per person Commemorative Admission/$15 per person General Admission