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. Hands-on tour of our 1845 Mitchel telescope and viewing through the telescope takes place during the second part of the evening (weather permitting).

Tickets: $15/adult, $7/child, FREE For Members.  August dates are SOLD OUT.

Reservations required.  Space is limited.

Interstellar Adventures is a Saturday evening program at the Cincinnati Observatory, geared for families with children 5-12 years old. The evening includes adventures that take you around the Observatory and around the Cosmos. Pizza is included in the price of admission. We will view through the telescopes (if clear). Each adventure is around a different space-related theme.

Themes:   Astronaut Training

Tickets: $15/adult and $10/child 

Scheduled to launch in late August, NASA’s newest space telescope will tackle some of astronomy’s biggest open questions: the nature of dark energy and dark matter, and the search for new worlds beyond our Solar System. Named for Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief astronomer and the “mother of the Hubble telescope”, will survey the infrared sky with a field of view over 100 times larger than Hubble’s. Join us to learn about this next giant leap in astronomy.

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 (Oakley) to gaze at the stars and learn through hands-on fun in this astronomy-themed pop up. There will be planetarium shows in an inflatable planetarium, celestial-themed crafts and activities for kids, and at the end of the night Drunk Astronomy with Astronomer, Dr. Wes Ryle. There is something for science lovers of all ages at this once a month pop-up!

As a special treat, this month's pop-up will include an exhibition of the photographs chosen for our 2027 Calendar. Calendars will also be available for purchase.

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

Walk-ins welcome!

Join us at the observatory for telescope views of a partial lunar eclipse! The visible portion of the eclipse begins at 10:33PM as the Moon enters the Earth's shadow. At 12:12AM, the Moon will be 96% eclipsed, turning a deep red color commonly referred to as a "blood Moon". No registration required.

A suggested donation of $5 per person is appreciated. 

Check the website and social media for weather updates on the day of the event—this event requires clear skies!

Presenter: Dr. Wes Ryle

What looks like a single star to the naked eye often turns out to be two or more when examined with a telescope. These “double stars” have deep ties to the past research of the Cincinnati Observatory. Our founder, Ormsby Mitchel, is credited with the discovery of the prominent star Antares as a double. Learn about these cosmic pairs and the science behind their shared presence in the sky.

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: Jaspal Chadha

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

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.  August is SOLD OUT. 

Presenter: Dr. Wes Ryle

Somewhere in the constellation Corona Borealis, a white dwarf has spent decades quietly siphoning material from its red giant companion — and when it finally reaches its breaking point, the resulting explosion will briefly rival the North Star in brightness. Astronomers have been watching T Coronae Borealis, nicknamed the "Blaze Star," all year for an eruption that's been building since its last outburst in 1946, itself almost exactly 80 years after the one before it in 1866. It could ignite any night now — possibly even before we gather for class. Learn the physics behind this rare stellar explosion, how to spot it for yourself once it happens, and why astronomers can be so confident it's coming without knowing the exact night.  

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: NASA

Presenter: Dr. Wes Ryle

The ringed planet is returning to our evening skies! A favorite for many celestial observers, Saturn’s rings are once again becoming visible as the planet moves out of the “edge-on” period experienced last year. Learn about our exploration of this remote gas giant planet, its icy rings, and its fascinating moons at this informal class.

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: NASA