Cincinnati Observatory

Known as "The Birthplace of American Astronomy," this is the oldest professional observatory in the US and is home to 2 historic refractor telescopes.

Science, history, and astronomy buffs will feel right at home at the Cincinnati Observatory, which is known as “The Birthplace of American Astronomy” and one of the oldest professional observatories in the country. Located in the Mount Lookout neighborhood, visitors are welcome to visit this remarkable establishment and learn all about its history and significance while having the chance to peer into the cosmos with the observatories’ top-tier equipment.

The observatory is home to two magnificent refractor telescopes, the oldest of which is an 11-inch Merz and Mahler instrument from 1845 and the other being a 16-inch Alvan Clark and Sons from 1901. Both telescopes have been meticulously maintained and are still in active use for public stargazing events, tours, and educational programs. The guided tours here offer a deep dive into the observatory's extraordinary history, including its founding by professor Ormsby MacKnight Mitchel and its pivotal role in American astronomy. You’ll have the chance to learn all about the part the observatory has played in astronomical science advancements and its contributions to further understanding the cosmos.

Public programs include evening stargazing sessions, where attendees can gaze at planets, stars, and distant galaxies, as well as daytime solar viewings and fascinating lectures. One of the educated staff members will also provide briefings before gazing sessions so you have a better understanding of what you’re seeing. The cosmos is unfathomably expansive and we may not have all the answers, but the Cincinnati Observatory has been an integral piece of the ever-changing puzzle since 1843.