Events
History Bites at Night
Kristina Fox and George Ironstrack will share a Myaamia 'Miami Indian' view of the sky and delve into some of the stories and cultural activities associated with seasonal change.
George Ironstrack is a citizen of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and the Assistant Director of the Myaamia Center at Miami University. He has participated in Myaamia language renewal projects as both a student and a teacher since the mid-1990s. Examples of his work can be found on the Myaamia Community Blog: aacimotaatiiyankwi.org.
Kristina Fox, a citizen of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, is the Myaamia Education Coordinator for the Myaamia Center at Miami University. With a dedicated involvement in Myaamia revitalization projects and programs since 2009, Kristina holds an active role in preserving and promoting Myaamia culture. In addition to her ongoing contributions, she has earned two degrees from Miami University. Presently, Kristina collaborates with fellow Myaamia educators to develop content for Šaapohkaayoni: A Myaamia Education Portal.
Tickets are available for pre-registration and at the door.
Tickets $15/person, free for members
Family Astronomy Night
Tickets: $15/adult, $7/child, Free for Observatory Members - April is SOLD OUT.
Space is limited. Sign up today.
Astronomy Evenings
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. April dates are SOLD OUT.
Reservations required. Space is limited.
Late Night Date Night
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 - April is SOLD OUT.
Space is limited to no more than 40 people. Adults Only. Singles welcome.
Sunday History Tours
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.
Solar Eclipse Recap Class
Between our staff and volunteer eclipse chasers, about 30 people represented the Cincinnati Observatory and shared the Great American Eclipse with thousands of people on April 8th. Join us as Program Educator Eric Harris recaps the good times, lessons learned, and beautiful photos taken on eclipse day.
Tickets: $20 per person
Join us on May 2, 7-9 PM, for a fun and creative night out where we'll learn about the celestial connections in the Harry Potter series. Have your crafting skills ready for a Harry Potter constellation-themed home decor project. The evening will end with a tour of the Observatory and viewing through the telescopes (if clear).
The cost is $30 per person and includes supplies for the crafts, butterbeer, and light bites. Recommended for ages 12+.
History Bites - Lunchtime Program
Mythology of Eclipses: History, Science, and Fiction
Mythology of Eclipses: History, Science, and Fiction covers a broad range of historical accounts and viewpoints of eclipses. From cultural views in ancient history and mythology, such as the Bakunawa, a serpent-like dragon in Philippine mythology that was thought to be the cause of natural phenomena like earthquakes, wind, rain and eclipses. Then to early historical accounts and documentation of eclipses, and eclipses in fiction, such as in Issac Asimov’s 1941 short story Nightfall where a planet usually covered in sunlight all the time, sees darkness befall them. Come learn the nuances and historical stories of eclipses with this engaging and intriguing presentation with Cincinnati Observatory’ s Assistant Collections Manager, Mandy Askins.
$10 for non-members, Free for Members
History at Home
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.
Mythology of Eclipses: History, Science, and Fiction
Mythology of Eclipses: History, Science, and Fiction covers a broad range of historical accounts and viewpoints of eclipses. From cultural views in ancient history and mythology, such as the Bakunawa, a serpent-like dragon in Philippine mythology that was thought to be the cause of natural phenomena like earthquakes, wind, rain and eclipses. Then to early historical accounts and documentation of eclipses, and eclipses in fiction, such as in Issac Asimov’s 1941 short story Nightfall where a planet usually covered in sunlight all the time, sees darkness befall them. Come learn the nuances and historical stories of eclipses with this engaging and intriguing presentation with Cincinnati Observatory’ s Assistant Collections Manager, Mandy Askins.
Tickets: $10 per household
Sights Before Sunrise
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:
Please register for the email list here so that we can notify you if the event is go/no go.
