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.

Embark on a romantic celestial journey with our "Late Night Date Night" at the Cincinnati Observatory. Couples will enjoy a star-filled evening complete with guided stargazing through historic telescopes (weather permitting), an intimate astronomy talk, and a cozy atmosphere perfect for making memories under the night sky. Whether it’s a first date or a special anniversary, this enchanting evening promises to bring the magic of the cosmos a little closer. Ticket price includes admission for two, mocktails, and dessert. 

Tickets: $80 per couple  18+ Only.  SOLD OUT Check out our Observatory After Hours on April 25.

Earth is surrounded by thousands of active satellites—and millions of pieces of debris. This class explores how satellites power modern life, from communication to navigation, and the growing challenge of keeping orbit safe and sustainable. Discover the hidden world above our heads and what it means for the future of space exploration.

Class level: Introductory - This class is recommended for guests of any background.

Tickets: Non-members $25/class. Members $20/class.  Student (with valid ID) $10/class

Join us at Madtree Brewing (in the Barrel Room) to gaze at the stars and learn through hands-on fun in this astronomy-themed pop up. The Cincinnati Observatory will present planetarium shows in their inflatable planetarium, provide Jupiter-themed crafts and activities for kids, and end the night with Drunk Astronomy with Astronomer, Dr. Wes Ryle. There is something for science lovers of all ages at this once a month pop-up!

Tickets: $10/person, $30/family (children under 4 free)

Walk-ins welcome!

They're not just cosmic debris — asteroids are time capsules from the birth of our solar system, and the asteroid belt is one of its most fascinating neighborhoods. In May, one of the belt's largest inhabitants, the asteroid Vesta, is at its brightest in the night sky — making this the perfect moment to take a peek. We'll tour the belt, meet some of its most remarkable residents, and discover what missions like Dawn and Psyche are revealing about these ancient worlds. Join us and find out why asteroids are anything but ordinary!

Class level: Introductory - This class is recommended for guests of any background.

Tickets:  Non-members - $25/class, Members - $20/class, Student (with valid ID) $10

Tickets: $15/adult, $7/child, FREE for Observatory Members 

Every spring, as the Milky Way's dusty band sinks below the horizon, a remarkable window opens up — one that lets us peer far beyond our own galaxy into a vast sea of other worlds. The constellation Virgo and its neighbors host one of the largest concentrations of galaxies visible from Earth, and May is the ideal month to find them. We'll take a guided tour of the spring constellations, learn how to spot the famous Virgo Cluster, and discover why seasoned observers circle "galaxy season" on their calendars every year. 

Class level: Introductory - This class is recommended for guests of any background.

Tickets: Non-members $25/class, Members $20/class, Student (with valid ID) $10/class

Image credit: Fernando Pena

Come and paint with us at the Cincinnati Observatory!

Join us on May 13, 7-9 PM, for a fun and creative night out where we'll learn how to paint a beautiful space-related masterpiece. You don't need any experience to join - each step of the painting process will be guided by Sarah Hellmann from Art for All People. Plus, enjoy delicious light bites while creating your beautiful artwork. The evening will end with  viewing through our historic telescope (if clear).

The cost is $60 per person and includes all your supplies, food, and drinks. The cost of the ticket benefits Art for All People and the Cincinnati Observatory. Recommended for ages 16+.

Meet our artist for the evening, Sarah Hellmann!
Sarah Hellmann is an author, artist, and speaker. After earning her PhD from the University of Cincinnati, she founded the nonprofit, Art for All People, a ministry that brings the arts to those effected by incarceration, addiction, mental illness, human trafficking, and veterans who suffer from PTSD. Sarah is a life-long artist. Her mission is to encourage others to use their inherent creativity toward healing and empowerment. Sarah recently published her book, Broken-Down Jalopies and Other Short Stories: Perspective Changes Everything. Available on Amazon.

For a fraction of a second — or maybe a few minutes — a gamma-ray burst can outshine everything else in the observable universe combined. These staggering explosions were one of astronomy's greatest mysteries when first discovered, and even today they're keeping scientists up at night. We'll explore what causes these cosmic detonations, how astronomers detect them across billions of light-years, and what the latest observations from JWST are teaching us about the universe's most extreme events.

Class level: Introductory - This class is recommended for guests of any background.

Tickets:  Non-members - $25/class, Members - $20/class, Student (with valid ID) - $10/class