The Astronomy Network of Ohio

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This site is for everyone interested in Astronomy and the wonders of the natural sky above, from educators to students and from veteran amateur observers to novice stargazers. This page is under Construction.

If you would like to learn more about the sky, the stars and telescopes, explore these pages to find out where you can go in your area to learn more.

This site is intended to be a useful resource for Ohio Astronomers, veteran and aspiring. If you have any information that should be included, or if you have any suggestions for improving this site, please send your comments to:

Mike Grilley

Ohio Astronomy Bulletin Board

Your public forum for posting and reading updates about astronomy-related events around Ohio.

Is your club having an observing session?

Is your planetarium having a special public program?

Any good guest speakers coming soon?

Find out what's happening around Ohio astronomy.

Read notices of coming Astronomy events.

Post info on your group's next event.

Communicate with astronomy enthusiasts from all over Ohio!!!

Ohio Astronomy Resources - By Category

Astronomy Clubs

Most Astronomy Clubs are groups of Amateur Astronomers who get together for telescope observing sessions with amateur telescopes, typically reflecting telescopes with mirrors between six and twelve inches in diameter. Most clubs have public observing events in which people are welcome to come and discover the sky for themselves.

Planetariums

Planetariums create an "artificial sky" that can simulate the appearance of the starry sky, a worthwhile alternative to stargazing during the day and on cloudy nights. Planetariums can be a great tool for learning many elements of astronomy, including the constellations, the geometry of the sky, and the cycles of the Sun, Moon and planets. Also, planetariums are always bringing out new shows, so there's no ends to the benefits of regularly attending your local planetarium.

Observatories

Ohio has many observatories that provide permanent homes for a telescope. Some observatories are small, operated by astronomy clubs, and housing modest telescopes. Other observatories are quite large, and are managed by an educational institution, e.g. a university or museum. Any observatory telescope will give excellent views of the celestial bodies, but a large observatory scope can provide spectacular views.

Astronomy Products Dealers

There are a number of companies around Ohio that sell astronomy products, from camera stores that sell amateur telescopes around the neighborhoods, to companies that sell specialty products to the national market.

Ohio Weather

You can't gaze at the stars in you can't see them, and every Ohioan (astronomer or otherwise) realizes that we get way more cloudy nights than clear nights! Use this page to find the many on-line weather forecasting resources. Maybe, just maybe, you might be able to schedule the next clear night of stargazing. (Even then, I still wouldn't trust it!)

Amateur Telescope Making

Amateur Telescope Making (or "ATM") is a hobby that has been popular around the United States for many years. It has always been the least expensive and most rewarding method of acquiring a high- quality telescope. Also, the techniques of Mirror grinding are surprisingly easy to master. Many clubs around Ohio have experienced ATM's and the related equipment. Watch this page for an ever-expanding inventory of Ohio ATM resources.

Ohio Astronomy Web Sites

There are many web pages created by individual Ohioans that pertain to astronomy and related subjects. Many of these sites are for specialty interests. These sites can be great resources for acquiring more information about the sky. If you have such a site, please join the network!

Ohio Astronomy Email Directory

This page is an email "white pages" for the wired members of the Ohio astronomy community. If you are an Ohio astronomer and have email, please participate! Drop a couple lines including your name, city and "claim to fame" -- type of telescope or planetarium, memberships, experience or special expertise -- you get the idea. Also, be sure to update your listing when you change your email address so this doesn't become a page of dead links!

Park Districts - Public Stargazing Programs

Many regional park districts around the state schedule stargazing sessions to help people in the community learn more about the starry sky. Check here to learn about the outdoor astronomy activities going on all around Ohio.

Science Museums - Fun and Education

Ohio has many science museums where people young and old can learn about the wonders of nature, including the starry sky. Many museums include planetariums and even observatories. Science museums are great places for introducing people to the basic concepts of astronomy and the universe we live in.

University Astronomy Departments

Most universities have an astronomy program, either as a separate department or as part of a physics department. University astronomy departments provide many academic resources, and can include a planetarium and/or an observatory. Some university astronomy departments serve as a focal point for astronomy activity in a community, and can be a valuable resource of astronomy education.

Educational Resources

There are numerous other groups in Ohio dedicated to science education and the general cause of promoting science education, in astronomy and other areas.

About ANO

All about The Astronomy Network of Ohio -- What ANO is and how it can be useful. A little about ANO's webmaster, and how you can contribute toward making ANO a truly useful astronomy resource.