Events
Intro to Astrophotography
Tickets: $20/person
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:
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.
Tours Under the Moon
Join us for a tour of the Observatory and a chance to see the Sun and the Moon through the telescope, weather permitting! The guided portion of the tour lasts approximately half an hour. It includes both of the Observatory’s buildings and two main telescopes, as well as access to our out-of-this-world gift shop.
Tickets: $10/adult, $5/child, $5/senior, $5/veteran, free for Observatory Members
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. July is SOLD OUT.
Reservations required. Space is limited.
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.
Family Astronomy Night
Tickets: $15/adult, $7/child, Free for Observatory Members
History Bites - Lunchtime Program
For those who want to network and have a little fun at lunch, join us for
If We Weren't Here, Where Would We Be?
Cincinnati is a city of seven hills, so just where do you put an Observatory? Obviously on top of one of the hills and away from pollution but what other factors influenced the decision of the original location and its move? Join us as Board Member and Volunteer, Al Sheide presents, If We Weren't Here, Where Would We Be? A discussion of a possible different locations for the Cincinnati Observatory, how the current location was picked, and Mitchel’s desire to collaborate with the Dudley Observatory in New York.
$10 for non-members, Free for Members
Walk-ins welcome!
Beyond Safe Solar Viewing
Coming off the recent total solar eclipse, many amateur astronomers have become well-versed in the art of safe solar viewing. But what else can you do if solar filters and eclipse glasses just don’t cut it anymore? Join this class given by Program Educator Eric Harris and discover the myriad ways amateurs can study the closest star to Earth. Great for beginners, we will demonstrate methods both with and without a telescope!
Tickets $20/person
Sunday SUN-day Sundae
Join us as we continue to celebrate the Sun at Sunday Sun-day Sundae - August 11 is the last one until next year! This event includes short talks about the Sun, tours of our historic buildings, kids activities, and safe viewing of sunspots and solar flares from our 1845 telescope (weather permitting). We will also be joined by Breakout Games with chances to win free game play at their local escape room!
As a special treat we will also have sundaes for those in attendance. The program runs rain or shine.
All proceeds benefit the Cincinnati Observatory education programming.
Tickets: $10/adult, $5/child
Walk-ins welcome!
Exploring the Cosmos with JWST
History Bites at Night
The Brightest Stars: The Legacy of Cincinnati's Women Astronomers
As the Birthplace of American Astronomy, the Cincinnati Observatory has been observing the stars for over 180 years. Yet, many of those stars, namely the women astronomers of the Observatory, have often been overlooked. Women like Louisa Trask Mitchel, who was likely the first person to observe Neptune to Antoinette Kettenacker, an accomplished mathematician who was published on her work with the computation of orbits. Numerous women have contributed to astronomy in Cincinnati in stellar ways. This trend continues with the Observatory’s current staff which includes its first female Executive Director and a majority female staff.
Come learn about the brightest stars of Cincinnati, the decades of women paving the way in astronomy at the Cincinnati Observatory with Assistant Collections Manager, Mandy Askins.
$15 for non-members, Free for Members
Walk-ins welome!
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
Space is limited to no more than 40 people. Adults Only. Singles welcome.
Class Series 2: The Solar System
Ladies Night
Grab your gal pals and celebrate our new exhibit, "The Brightest Stars: The Legacy of Cincinnati's Women Astronomers" with a ladies' night out focused on fashion in space. The event includes a presentation by Executive Director, Anna Hehman. She will discuss how the universe has been a source of inspiration throughout the history of fashion and design. Come hear all about how the breathtaking wonder of space and images of stars, galaxies, and planets have led to some incredible haute couture. We will also have local vendors onsite with relevant activities and products for sale including Tarot Card reading. Light bites and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
Tickets: $30/person
Calling all space nerds and current events enthusiasts! Think you know your stuff? Grab your crew and join us on August 29, 7pm for Trivia Night at the Cincinnati Observatory. Top three teams will win an out-of-this-world prize!
21+ please
Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks provided.
Tickets: $60/team, up to 6 people, $20/individual
ScopeOut 2024
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.
No registration required - tickets will be sold at the door.
Tickets: $12/adult, $7/child (ages 5-17)
