You’ve heard of car shows, but how about a telescope show? Come out for our annual telescope festival and see all the different types of telescopes the tri-state has to offer! Dozens of astronomy enthusiasts from the community will set up their telescopes and share their knowledge, passion, and expertise between 6-8 pm in addition to informative talks on telescope basics and night sky navigation. Then as darkness falls, from 8-10 pm telescope operators will share views through their own telescopes (weather permitting). We are also encouraging everyone to bring any unwanted telescopes and accessories for an equipment swap.

Great for beginners and longtime stargazers alike. As an added bonus, we’ll be holding two telescope raffles, one for kids and one for adults. Tickets can be purchased online here. Please note: winners must be able to pick up scopes in person at the Observatory.

No registration required - tickets will be sold at the door.

Tickets: $12/adult, $7/child (ages 5-17)

Purchase your raffle tickets here!  (Online sales close at noon on Saturday 9/7/2024)

Tickets: $15/adult, $7/child, Free for Observatory Members 

Join us for a special presentation as part of Ohio Open Doors Ohio in Space: Origins of Space Exploration

Known for innovation and invention, it's not surprising that numerous programs and inventions related to space exploration came from Ohio. In 1954, at Mound Laboratory in Miamisburg, Ohio, two scientists created a small steam engine powered by polonium-210. By 1959, they had patented their invention and were using the much longer half-life power of plutonium-238. Just a few years later in 1961, the United States launched the Transit IV-A, the first satellite to carry a radioisotope power system into space. Observatory Director, Dr. Paul Herget worked with Projects Vanguard and Mercury, as well as the Manhattan Project in early efforts of space exploration and established the Observatory as the Minor Planet Center in 1947.

This presentation, given by Mandy Askins, the Assistant Collections Manager at the Cincinnati Observatory, will cover the origins of early space exploration programs, the invention of space nuclear power, and its significance to the Space Race and how Ohio and the Cincinnati Observatory paved the way for mankind’s physical exploration of space.

The program is free as part of the Ohio History Connection's Ohio Open Doors program! To learn more about the Ohio Open Doors program and other events taking place click here.

Weekly Public Program

Astronomy Evening at the Cincinnati Observatory is the perfect program to get acquainted with all of the offerings of your local observatory. Located in picturesque Mount Lookout on the East Side of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Observatory is the oldest one of its kind in the country that still uses its original telescope from 1845, and now you too will get to participate.

This 90 minute long, family-friendly program features an Astronomy themed presentation on the different things you can experience in the night sky. Tours of our historic buildings and viewing through our telescope takes place during the second part of the evening (weather permitting).

Tickets: $15/adult, $7/child, FREE For Members. 

Reservations required.  Space is limited.

Join us at the Observatory to see the ringed planet! 

Celebrate all things Saturn at the Cincinnati Observatory’s Saturnday event! The ringed planet is the star of the show at this festival which will feature informative talks on Saturn, a vote on the coolest moon of Saturn, a hula-hoop (rings!) contest, face painting, food trucks, our latest museum exhibit, building tours, and night sky viewing (weather permitting).

As an added bonus, this evening is also NASA’s International Observe the Moon Night and we’ll be able to join the worldwide celebration with observations of the Moon through our historic telescopes (weather permitting).

Tickets: $10/child (ages 3-17) and Members, $15 non-members

There are so many activities that we’ll hold this event rain or shine! All proceeds go toward our educational outreach programs and preservation of our historic telescopes and grounds.

Pre-registration is available, but walk-ins are welcome.

Stories From Our History

This special program offers those seeking to learn more about the Observatory’s history a more detailed, in-depth guided tour at Noon or 1:30pm. All the wonderful details covered in a Daytime Tour are included - as well as more stories of how the Observatory came to be (and almost didn’t!). You'll also discover the Observatory’s role in weather forecasting and timekeeping as well as visit our interactive Sundial, original 1843 cornerstone, and more! Tours last approximately one hour with plenty of time for questions and some behind-the-scenes fun! Perfect for local history, astronomy and science buffs ages 12 and up.

Tickets are $10/adult, $5/kids (recommended for kids 12+), $5/senior, $5/veteran and free for Observatory members

Space is limited.  Advanced reservations are recommended.

Cosmic Kids

Inspire your kids to be future astronomers, physicists, scientists, and engineers with our monthly Cosmic Kids class at the Cincinnati Observatory! Participants will be engaged in an astronomically fun and interactive program each month. Parents are welcome to join in on the cosmic fun or drop off their kids for the program. Participants who join us for the entire 9 class series will receive a discount. 

September 21- Rockets
October 19 - Nebulas

(see registration link for entire list of dates and themes)

• Grades K, 1, 2 classes meet 9:30 - 10:30am
• Grades 3, 4, 5 classes meet 11:00am - 12:00pm

Single Class Tickets:

$12.00 per class non-member
$10.00 per class member

Series Class Tickets:

$90.00 for all 9 non-member
$75.00 for all 9 member

You may also decide to stay with your child for the class or drop them off and pick them up after, parents will not be charged as participants. Not sure which session would be best? Give us a call 513-321-5186.

A Local History Sampler
Special Event at the Observatory

Cincinnati has an amazingly rich history. So rich that few Cincinnatians have heard the stories of all the people and places that made Cincinnati the “Queen City of the West".

History organizations from Museums and Historic Sites of Greater Cincinnati will gather at the Cincinnati Observatory to showcase their history, public & school programs and upcoming events with hands-on exhibits, demos and presentations. Learn more about your unique neighborhood and explore more of what makes Greater Cincinnati so special.

The afternoon includes tours of the Observatory and safe sun viewing through the 180-year-old telescope (weather permitting).

Event held rain or shine.

No reservations are needed. Drop in anytime between 1 & 4pm

All ages welcome.

A great resource for History Teachers

Cost:   Free - No registration required.

For further information, please call 513-935-1143 or 513-321-5186 or go to: Museums and Historic Sites of Greater Cincinnati andwww.facebook.com/MHSGreaterCincy/

Online Class

Join Assistant Collections Manager, Mandy Askins for our History at Home series. These fun, online classes are about the history of astronomy and the Cincinnati Observatory. Best of all, you can take these from the comfort of your own home and will receive a copy of the recorded classes that you can watch again at your convenience.

Ohio in Space: Origins of Space Exploration

Known for innovation and invention, it's not surprising that numerous programs and inventions related to space exploration came from Ohio. In 1954, at Mound Laboratory in Miamisburg, Ohio, two scientists created a small steam engine powered by polonium-210. By 1959, they had patented their invention and were using the much longer half-life power of plutonium-238. Just a few years later in 1961, the United States launched the Transit IV-A, the first satellite to carry a radioisotope power system into space. Observatory Director, Dr. Paul Herget worked with Projects Vanguard and Mercury, as well as the Manhattan Project in early efforts of space exploration and established the Observatory as the Minor Planet Center in 1947.

This presentation, given by Mandy, will cover the origins of early space exploration programs, the invention of space nuclear power, and its significance to the Space Race and how Ohio and the Cincinnati Observatory paved the way for mankind’s physical exploration of space.

Tickets: $10 per household

Come and paint with us at the Cincinnati Observatory!

Join us for a fun and creative night out where we'll learn how to paint a beautiful space-related masterpiece. You don't need any experience to join - Dr. Sarah Hellmann from Art for All People will guide each step of the painting process. Plus, enjoy delicious mocktails and snacks while creating your beautiful artwork. The evening will end with a tour of the Observatory and viewing through the telescopes (if clear).

The cost is $60 per person and includes supplies to paint, Celestial Mocktails, and light bites. Recommended for ages 18+. All proceeds benefit Art for All People and the Cincinnati Observatory.

Meet our artist for the evening, Dr. Sarah Hellmann!
Sarah Hellmann is an author, artist, and speaker. After earning her PhD from the University of Cincinnati, she founded the nonprofit, Art for All People, a ministry that brings the arts to those affected by incarceration, addiction, mental illness, human trafficking, and veterans who suffer from PTSD. Sarah is a lifelong artist. Her mission is to encourage others to use their inherent creativity toward healing and empowerment. Sarah recently published her book, Broken-Down Jalopies and Other Short Stories: Perspective Changes Everything. Available on Amazon.

Join us at the Observatory for a very special evening: our annual Celestial Sips event! We’ve partnered with our friends at Rhinegeist Brewing to create a spectacular evening under the stars. Come enjoy a sampling of Rhinegeist beer (or a delicious mocktail!), light bites, a s’mores bar, and more! Guests can also check out our new exhibit featuring women in astronomy and see select items from our collection, including some of our incredible meteorites. 

Attendees receive a limited edition branded Observatory pilsner with each ticket purchase.  We’ll also be viewing Saturn and other celestial objects through our historic Mitchel telescope (weather permitting) and taking folks on tours of the Observatory. It's going to be an out of this world evening and all proceeds benefit the Observatory’s programs and mission. 

 Tickets: Members $65, General Public $75 

Space is limited for this fabulous event, so sign up today! 21+ only, please. 

Join us for our new early-morning event in 2024, Sights Before Sunrise. These are clear-only events so we will let you know the day before if the event is a go. We will only use your email for the purposes of communication about the Sights Before Sunrise event. See more details below:

We are turning the tables and offering some early morning stargazing this year. This program is for those who want to be the first to see objects that will be up later in the year at our typical viewing times. This event will include viewing through our historic Mitchel telescope at Venus and the Moon. Coffee and donuts will be available.

Please register for the email list here so that we can notify you if the event is go/no go.

What time is it? -- Let's look at the sundial!

Are you like us? Did you think “analemma” was a letter of the alphabet between K and P? Join volunteer and board member, Dr. Al Shiede as he describes how our sundial works, what an analemma is, and what other information can be obtained from a sundial. Al will give us an explanation over lunch and then take us out to the Sundial for a demonstration.

Tickets $10/person; free for Cincinnati Observatory members

Preregistration not required. Walk-ins welcome!

At the Cincinnati Observatory

Looking for a romantic night out and under the stars? Come see what the Observatory is like after hours. You'll get to use telescopes to view astronomical objects that are not visible until late at night (weather permitting). Get a sneak preview of the next season's planets and stars a month or two ahead of everyone else.

The program runs rain or shine. If the weather does not permit viewing, we'll have fun showing you around the universe and behind the scenes at the Observatory.

Tickets: $30 per person  

Space is limited to no more than 40 people. Adults Only. Singles welcome.

A Comprehensive Tour of the Cincinnati Observatory

For 150 years the Cincinnati Observatory has explored the universe from our site in Mt. Lookout. But as the Birthplace of American Astronomy our history goes further back than that.

You’ll hear the fascinating history of the founding of the observatory and learn why 30 years earlier John Quincy Adams traveled to Cincinnati to lay the original cornerstone. We'll explore our two grand telescopes, tour the museum, and take a peek behind the scenes. Learn about the work of our astronomers including their contributions to time-keeping, weather forecasting, World War II and the early space race. Weather permitting we'll treat you to spectacular views of the Moon through the oldest continuously used telescope in the world.

Tickets: $20/person non-member, $15/person members 

Please note: Sept. 11 is sold out.