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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:

Valerie Niemi, Chair

Michael Schock, Vice Chair

Mike Brown, Secretary

Bonnie Speeg, Treasurer

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

April 13, 2026

7:30pm

The Vera Rubin Observatory: A New Frontier in Astronomy

Presenter: Dr. Wes Ryle

High in the foothills of the Andes mountains in Chile, a new observatory and telescope are now online. The Vera Rubin Observatory, named after a scientist integral to the discovery of dark matter is actively conducting research and collecting data. The 8.4 meter telescope hosts the largest digital camera telescope ever built and will image the entire southern sky every few nights for the next decade. Join us to learn what this telescope means to the world of astronomical discovery!