About
Friends of the Observatory (FOTO)
Friends of the Observatory (FOTO) is the Observatory’s amateur astronomy group. FOTO has been integral to the organization since the inception of the Cincinnati Observatory Center in 1999. Along with several neighbors and community members, FOTO members helped save the Observatory from potential demolition, as the Center shifted its mission to one of preservation and education.
FOTO members host a meeting on the 2nd Monday of each month featuring an astronomy topic and speaker (see details for next meeting below), and all Observatory members are invited. In addition, FOTO hosts social events including a holiday dinner and an annual picnic. All Observatory members are welcome to participate in FOTO activities and programs as a benefit of membership. It's a great group for all, especially those wanting to learn more about astronomy and space science!
FOTO leadership this year includes:
FOTO helps in several areas, including giving tours of the Observatory, leading programming, conducting historical research, and planning the 2nd Monday FOTO meetings, which again are open to all Observatory members. FOTO also runs the Stonelick Stargazers dark sky viewing events at Stonelick State Park. The group is a great support to the organization, sharing the wonders of the universe with thousands of people every year alongside Observatory staff.
To join as a member and participate in all that the Observatory - and FOTO - have to offer, click here!
Next Meeting
February 9, 2026
7:30pm
Each year from roughly mid-March to early April, amateur astronomers all around the world test their observing skills by trying to complete the Messier Marathon. A single all-night attempt to observe each of the 110 Messier Objects before the rising Sun ends the race. This time of year (best March 20-21), if you start at dusk, you can finish at dawn and see them all.
The History: Charles Messier (1730-1817) had been hunting for comets and “accidentally” discovered most of the brighter non-stellar objects in the sky. Galaxies, star clusters, nebulae and more, objects that could be confused for a comet. Messier kept a catalog of his non-comets so as not to be confused in the future. Messier did discover 13 comets.
We will learn about these fascinating objects as we use them for the squares in our Bingo game. Messier Bingo will be a fun way to brush up on the Messier Objects catalog without staying up all night. There will be prizes. So, if you are a little rusty on observing, pull out your books and charts, go online to learn more about the Messier Objects. Or come to the February meeting ready for a fun evening of astronomical proportions!
Note: We will attempt to accommodate our virtual guests, but this presentation is best enjoyed in-person at the meeting.
