ScopeOut festival to focus on Saturn
The Cincinnati Observatory will host its annual ScopeOut telescope festival Sept. 7, followed by a celebration of all things Saturn on Sept. 14, or “Saturnday.” This date also coincides with NASA’s International Observe the Moon Night, a worldwide viewing party of the nearest celestial neighbor.
ScopeOut will feature dozens of telescopes from astronomy enthusiasts throughout the region on display. Participants will be able to investigate different types of viewing equipment and ask questions of their owners.
The observatory will be holding a raffle of a telescope for kids and another telescope for adults during the event. Staff from the observatory will provide informative talks on telescope design, navigating the night sky, and the basics of astrophotography. Representatives from local astronomy societies and clubs will be present, including the Cincinnati Astronomical Society, the Warren County Astronomical
Society, the Miami Valley Astronomical Society, and the Morehead State University Astronomy Club.
ScopeOut runs from 6-10 p.m. Sept. 7 on the grounds of the observatory. Tickets for admission will be sold at the door, $12 for adults and $7 for children. Night sky views of Saturn and other targets will be available after dark, weather permitting.
The following Saturday, Sept. 14, will showcase Saturn and the Moon with “Saturnday” and International Observe the Moon Night. In addition to talks on the ringed planet and its moons, this evening will include a wide variety of family friendly activities. A hula-hoop dancer will help kids do their best imitation of Saturn’s rings, participants will be able to participate in a vote for coolest moon of Saturn, and observatory staff and volunteers will provide a variety of craft activities for kids. Weather permitting, views of Saturn and the Moon will be available through the observatory’s historic telescopes.
“Saturnday” will run from 7-10 p.m. Sept. 14 at the observatory. Tickets will be $10 for children and observatory members, $15 for non-members. Pre-registration is available at cincinnatiobservatory. org, but walk-ins are welcome.