The Cincinnati Observatory is celebrating 150 years on Mt. Lookout!

Our original building in this location, named the Herget building in honor of longtime Observatory Director Dr. Paul Herget, was completed in 1873 and established our beautiful campus here. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have come through our buildings and domes to be inspired by the night sky through our outreach programming. This special event will celebrate our iconic Herget building and help raise money for the ongoing preservation and care as well as repairs for our facility and the telescopes housed within. We hope you can join us as we celebrate this milestone and our exciting plans for the future!

Heavy appetizers and drinks will be provided as well as architectural tours of our iconic building. The evening will wrap up with viewing through our historic telescope, weather permitting.

Members: $125, Non-members: $150 (21+, please)

Please join us for our biggest event of the year.

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.

It’s time to practice for the big show!

Join us on October 14, 2023, to get an exclusive look at a Partial Solar
Eclipse safely through a telescope at the Observatory. Though this will be an annular eclipse in other parts of North America, we will see a partial solar eclipse in Cincinnati—like the Sun has a bite taken out of it (as long as it’s not cloudy, of course)! Guests will also be the first to explore our new Solar Eclipse Exhibit. The event includes safe solar viewing, kid-friendly eclipse talks, face painting, Sun crafts, food trucks, and more!

We will have eclipse viewing beginning at 11:42 a.m. and continue through 2:32 p.m. Tickets are on sale now—choose a timeslot and come to enjoy the festivities. Bring your lunch, blankets, lawn chairs, and weather-appropriate clothes, and come join us under the Sun.

Admission: $25/adults, $15/children

Our Online Astronomy Club

For Kids Grades K-5th

Join us for a virtual Cosmic Kids club in 2023. These classes are free of charge (donations are appreciated), but registration is required. Dates and topics are below.

• October 18 - Planet
• November 15 - Space Rockets
• December 13 - Stars of Harry Potter

For each class we’ll send out a link to a Zoom meeting and a list of suggested materials. Classes will take place from 4:30-5:30pm.  Sign up for 1, 2, or all.

Kids' Club at the Observatory

Explore the cosmos during our new multi-disciplinary class which helps grades K-5th learn and discover topics in astronomy and investigate the wonders beyond our world. These classes are open to members and non-members. 

Saturday, September 16: Eclipses

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

Saturday, November 18: Nebulas

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

Regular class prices are: $5.00 per participant per class for members. $8.00 per participant per class for non-members. 

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.