Astronomy is the study of objects in space, such as those that lie within our solar system including the sun, moon, planets, comets and asteroids. Ancient people were able to observe many of these objects with their naked eye. With the invention of the telescope astronomers were able to observe objects at much greater distances, eventually seeing outside our own Milky Way Galaxy. In recent years we have gained an even greater understanding of our place in space utilizing the technology that allows us to view the universe in many different wavelengths. As more knowledge is gained new questions are posed.

The Astronomy Department has many opportunities to share information regarding the night sky and related astronomy discoveries and events with our visitors. We offer an expansive choice of astronomy programs and observing opportunities. We inform the public of upcoming astronomy events and answer individual questions by phone, email and onsite. We utilize the Caryl D. Philips Space Theater, the Apollo Observatory, the Junior Observatory, the Hall of the Universe, our portable planetarium, StarLab and our meteorite collection to offer an out-of-this-world experience for our visitors.

We offer daily programming in the Caryl D. Philips Space Theater where our visitors can gain a better understanding of the nightsky and stroll through the cosmos or venture through a black hole. In addition to daily astronomy programming in the Space Theater there are many opportunities for our guests to be entertained with a family laser show in which music is set to laser lights and special digital effects from our Digistar II planetarium projector or with a virtual reality experience riding amusement park rides.

Every clear Friday evening the Apollo Observatory and/or the Junior Observatory is open free to the public. Looking through one of our many telescopes you many feel as though you can reach out and touch the craters on the moon, the rings of Saturn, a glorious nebula, or the neighboring Andromeda Galaxy located several million light years away.

As visitors walk through the Hall of the Universe background galactic music and lighting provide an outer space ambiance. Wander past the beautiful photographs of the planets and other solar system bodies that line the walls of the hall and touch an actual object from outer space, a 16 pound meteorite on display.

The Astronomy Department meteorite collection consists of nearly 200 specimens, most of which were originally pieces of asteroids including four specimens that fell in Ohio. The collection also includes several lunar specimens and one from Mars. Meteorites give us a better understanding of the formation of our solar system.

When a visit to the museum is not possible we have a portable planetarium, StarLab, that can bring the nightsky to you. The StarLab can demonstrate what would be seen in the nightsky or help to present astronomically related concepts.


For additional information or to schedule, please contact (937) 275-7431 ext. 122 or email   This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .