Cincinnati Observatory

Cincinnati Observatory
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Original building atop Mt. Lookout
Location:	Observatory Historic District; 3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati, Ohio
Coordinates:	39°8′19″N 84°25′22″W
Built:	1873
Architect:	Samuel Hannaford
Architectural style:	Greek Revival
Governing body:	State
MPS:	Samuel Hannaford and Sons TR in Hamilton County
NRHP Reference#:	80003043
Significant dates
Added to NRHP:	March 3, 1980
Designated NHL:	December 9, 1997

The Cincinnati Observatory, located in Cincinnati, Ohio (USA) on top of Mt. Lookout. It consists of two observatory buildings housing an 11 inch (28 cm) and 16 inch (41 cm) aperture refracting telescope. It is the oldest professional observatory in the United States. It was a key facility for astronomical research and education at the University of Cincinnati and is still owned by the university. The observatory currently operates as a 19th century observatory. There are regular viewings through both historical telescopes as well as tours and additional programs. The observatory also has an extensive outreach program, providing astronomical education for the Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana region.

The Cincinnati Observatory is a contributing property to the Observatory Historic District.

History

Cincinnati Observatory was built by Ormsby M. Mitchel atop Mount Ida, a hill that overlooks downtown Cincinnati. The cornerstone was laid on November 9, 1843, and presiding over the occasion was former President John Quincy Adams. At 77 years old, it was to be his last public speech, and Mount Ida was renamed to Mount Adams in his honor.

In 1871, the Observatory came under the control of the University of Cincinnati and in 1873 it was moved from Mt. Adams to Mt. Lookout, where it remains today. In 1998 the Observatory became a National Historic Landmark.

The asteroid 1373 Cincinnati was named to honor the staff of the observatory.

Instruments

Illustration of the 11 inch "Merz and Mahler" refracting telescope (from "Smith's Illustrated Astronomy" 1848).

• The 1843 Merz und Mahler 11 inch refractor – Housed in the "Mitchel Building". May be the oldest continually used telescope in the world. It is currently used for public education programs.
• The 1904 Alvan Clark & Sons 16 inch refractor – Housed in the "Main Building". Used in public education programs and graduate research.

See also

• List of observatories

External links

• Cincinnati Observatory Center
• Cincinnati Observatory Center Clear Sky Clock Forecasts of observing conditions.
• Merz und Mahler telescope photos