Ohio ObservatoriesThere are many observatories in Ohio. While Ohio is not a major center for professional observatories (like Arizona and Hawaii) there are nevertheless a number of fine observatories in Ohio with telescopes that can provide spectacular views of the celestial bodies. While most observatories are operated by museums and universities, many are run by amateur astronomy clubs. On the next clear night, there is no doubt an observatory somewhere near you. If you would like to add or update a listing, please send the changes to
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery 2600 DeWeese Parkway Dayton, Ohio 45414 (937) 275-7431 E-Mail: damuseum@gte.net Bowling Green State
University Observatory Bowling Green, Ohio 43403 (419) 372-7244 E-Mail: laird@bgnet.bgsu.edu The BGSU Observatory houses a computer-operated DFM reflecting telescope with a half-meter (20-inch) primary mirror. The telescope is equipped with a First Magnitude CCD camera, a highly-sensitive electronic camera for photographing and measuring the brightness and color of stars and other astronomical objects. The telescope can also be used for visual observing or with a 35-mm camera for film photography. The Observatory is located on the roof of the Physical Sciences Laboratory Building. The Observatory is open to the public for stargazing and viewing through the 0.5-meter telescope during the academic year following the weekend planetarium shows, weather permitting. Observatory: Cleveland Museum of Natural History A gift from Museum trustee Ralph Mueller allowed the addition of an observatory for direct stargazing. It is equipped with an impressive, 10 1/2-inch refracting telescope built in 1899 by the Warner and Swasey Company and later donated by Western Reserve College. The observatory is open to the public for Wednesday evening stargazing, 8:30 to 10 pm (September through May). A planetarium program is presented on cloudy evenings. Cincinnati Observatory Center The Cincinnati Observatory Center is the oldest professional observatory in the United States. Operating since 1842, the observatory is a National Historic Landmark and houses two historic telescopes. The 1842 11" Merz und Mahler is possibly the oldest continually telescope in the world. It is used for most of our public star gazes. For more information about the Observatory, historic tours, public and private star gazing, facility rental and special events contact the observatory by e-mail or surf on over to their website. Mahoning Valley Observatory The Mahoning Valley Observatory is operated by the Mahoning Valley Astronomical Society and serves the needs of Amateur Astronomers in Trumbull, Mahoning, Portage and Columbiana counties. Perkins Observatory Since its opening in 1923, historic Perkins Observatory has been one of Ohio's premier observatory facilities, located in central Ohio, north of Columbus, and south of Delaware. Perkins had once been home to the famous 69-inch Perkins telescope, which, at the time of its completion in 1931, was the third largest in the world. Due to factors like light pollution and our famous Ohio weather, the Perkins Telescope was moved to Arizona, where it is now a part of the Lowell Observatory. A 32-inch telescope now resides at the Observatory. Perkins is also distinguished for having once published an astronomy magazine called "The Telescope." Started in 1932, this magazine merged in 1941 with another astronomy magazine called "The Sky" to become "Sky & Telescope," a magazine know and loved by all astronomers today. Perkins is the only observatory in Ohio that conducts hundreds of public programs for tens of thousands of people each and every year. However, as of August 1st 1998, Perkins' source of funding will be cut off! After many years and much history, Perkins is in danger of shutting down! Visit their site and find out what you can do to help. Ritter
Observatory The Ritter Observatory is a part of the Ritter Astrophysical Research Center, operated by the Department of Physics and Astronomy of The University of Toledo. This facility is used for Astrophysical research, including investigations of the sun, planets, stars, interstellar gas & dust, and galaxies. The telescope at Ritter Observatory telescope is an automated 1-m Ritchey-Chretien reflector used as part of its research and instructional programs, including a Ph.D. program. Ritter reaches out to the public with a planetarium program featuring a Spitz Model A3P planetarium projector in a 40-ft dome. Warren Rupp Observatory The Warren Rupp Observatory houses one of the largest computer controlled amateur operated telescopes of it's type in the world, having a 31-inch diameter fused quartz mirror finished to an incredible 1/12 wavelength. The observatory is open to the public on the first Saturday of each month (weather permitting). The facility is operated by The Richland Astronomical Society and holds it's monthly club meetings prior to the public opening. The Warren Rupp Observatory is situated in the beautiful rolling hills of north central Ohio just southeast of Mansfield, on the grounds of Hidden Hollow Camp about 7 miles east of the intersection of State Route 13 and interstate 71 on O'possum Run Road. The observatory offers special private observing sessions free of charge to any group by appointment, including scout troops, school field trips, churches, private groups and even families. S. B. P. Observatory Cedarville College Cedarville, Ohio 45314 (513) 766-7949 E-Mail: flentge@cedarville.edu Swasey
Observatory Swasey Observatory, built in 1909, was a gift from Ambrose Swasey. Its 9-inch refracting and two 8-inch reflecting telescopes are fitted for astrophotography. It also houses an astronomy library and dark rooms. Warner & Swasey
Observatory The historic Warner and Swasey Observatory was established in 1920 as a part of Case Western Reserve University by Worcester R. Warner and Ambrose Swasey, whose Cleveland-based Warner and Swasey company was renowned for making some of the finest telescopes of the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. The original facility in East Cleveland was closed in 1982. The Observatory currently operates the Nassau Astronomical Station, 30 miles east of Cleveland, where observing is still done to this day with a 36-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. In 1979, The University relocated its Burrell Schmidt-type telescope to Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, where half of the telescope time is used by CWRU astronomers and half is used by the national astronomical community. Thus, the Warner and Swasey Observatory continues its tradition of cutting edge astronomy research from the pristine skies of Arizona. Weitkamp Observatory |