The rich history of astronomy is celebrated each week at Perkins Observatory south of Delaware, a history which began with Ohio Wesleyan professor Hiram Perkins and his donation of funds in 1896 for the construction of the first local observatory.
The current Perkins Observatory, built between 1923 and 1931, houses a 32 inch cassegrain reflector telescope, one of the three largest telescopes in the state.“Public Nights” at the Observatory are held on Fridays, and are designed for the entire family. Individuals, families, and groups of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.
From the Perkins website:
“We strongly encourage everyone to purchase tickets in advance for our programs! Yes, that means that you might come on a cloudy night. However, we have a lot of activities (not just stargazing) and believe that everyone goes home happy.”
Most Public Nights include an orientation and safety talk, an astronomy lecture, and a tour of the observatory. During the tour, you will hear about how the Civil War relates to Perkins, what the “pig is doing on the history page,” what happened to the third largest telescope in the world – and even about ghosts!
Public Nights may also include observing sessions (weather dependent) and rocket launches (daytime visits only). Visits to the Observatory also include the opportunity to see astronomy-related exhibits, to browse the library, and/or to use the computers.
Tickets are still available for Public Nights on February 15 and 22; the cost is just $10 per person. For complete ticket ordering details, visit this page.
