The Cincinnati Observatory Offers Intelligent Answers to Unusual Questions

The Cincinnati Observatory offers guided stargazing, educational programs, cutting edge scientific information and a sky view through the oldest professional telescope in America. They also provide intelligent responses to lots of unusual questions: Will an asteroid hit the Earth? Will the world end on December 12, 2012? Does Earth have a second sun called Nibiru that's getting a bit too close? Is there going to be a really spectacular Mars sighting this year?

Dean Regas, the Cincinnati Observatory's Outreach Astronomer, is happy to provide answers to the top media questions:
-A really close Mars sighting would be "...cool (and frightening.)" It's actually an annual email hoax.
-There is no second sun.
-No asteroid will collide with the Earth.
-There will be no Hollywood style end of the world in 2012.

According to Regas, the Mayans, who are given credit for recent end-of-the-world prophecies, were great astronomers but they made no such prediction.

Lots to Learn
Founded by Ormsby McKnight in 1842, the Cincinnati Observatory is located in two historic buildings in the quiet Cincinnati suburb of Mount Lookout. They've participated in national public astronomy programs, earned national awards and received a recent NASA Educational grant. The Cincinnati Observatory is a great place to learn everything you want to know about astronomy and the skies above.

The prospect of scientific answers to trendy unusual questions is exciting. The Observatory's ongoing programs and events are exciting, as well.

Future Galileos Presentation September 10, 2010

Twenty aspiring local astronomers will receive high quality telescopes as part of the first of 3 annual Future Galileos awards. With the "40 Galileos" telescopes presented in 2009, these telescopes will expand the community outreach program to educate a diverse astronomy audience. Galileos telescopes have already reached over 7,000 stargazers in the region.

The Cincinnati Observatory's Future Galileos project was one of 28 proposals approved for NASA funding. The Observatory's 2010 Future Galileos selection process has ended, but the program will continue with awards in 2011 and 2012

SCOPEOUT - September 11, 2010

The annual All-Day, All-Night telescope festival is for astronomers of all ages.

Part 1- Noon - 5 pm - The Observatory grounds come alive with displays, tours, solar viewing, telescope vendors, meteorites, door prizes and more. Adults -$6, kids - $4

Part 2- 6 pm - 8:30 pm - Dinner and a lecture under the stars by nationally known astronomer, Dr. Mike Brown. Dinner/Lecture - $20, Lecture - $10. Reservations are required.

Part 3- 9 -11pm - A stargazing session using the Observatory's historic telescopes. Adults - $6, kids - $4. Admission is free with any other paid SCOPEOUT activity. No reservations are required.

International Observe the Moon Night - September 18

"Have telescope will travel," is the motto of the Sidewalk Astronomer. As the local sponsor of this international Observe the Moon Night, the Cincinnati Observatory's Sidewalk Astronomers will bring telescopes to Cincinnati sidewalks. Just ask and get a close up look at the moon. The Observatory website will publish a list of locations.

Ongoing Educational Programs

-Astronomy Nights- Free lectures, telescope viewing and public stargazing one Saturday night per month.

-Friends of the Observatory- Observatory members receive automatic membership in FOTO with monthly amateur astronomers club meetings, presentations, celestial viewings and a youth astronomy program.

-Astronomy Thursdays and Fridays- Three Thursdays and Fridays a month the Cincinnati Observatory offers rain or shine presentations, guided gazing and access to Observatory telescopes..

The Cincinnati Observatory is located at 3489 Observatory Ave in Cincinnati, Ohio. Call 513- 321- 5186 or check the online calendar for event reservations, start times, information and fees.

Source:
http://www.cincinnatiobservatory.org/