How long is the class?

The session runs approximately 1.5 hours including time for questions; telescope viewing is weather-dependent.

Is this suitable for children?

Yes—this is an introductory-level class recommended for guests of any background; parental discretion advised for young children.

Will I see gravitational waves with the telescope?

No—gravitational waves are detected by interferometers; telescopes provide complementary optical observations when relevant.

Do I need any prior physics knowledge?

No prior technical knowledge is required; instructors explain concepts from first principles in an accessible way.

What happens if it's cloudy?

Telescope viewing will be canceled but the class and discussion on detectors and discoveries typically proceed as scheduled.

Is there parking or transit access?

Local transit and short drives are common ways visitors reach the observatory; check the event page or referral link for site-specific access details.

Gravitational Waves: Intro to Ripples in Space-Time in Cincinnati

On a clear evening above Cincinnati, Ohio, the night sky loosens its hold and the faint tremors of the universe become a subject you can understand. Gravitational Waves is a 1.5-hour introductory class that walks curious travelers and locals through the discovery, detection, and scientific implications of ripples in space-time. It’s been just over a decade since the first confirmed detections, and this session explains how instruments like LIGO and Virgo listen for collisions between black holes and neutron stars, and how those signals change what we can observe with telescopes. The class is built for any background—Class level: Introductory - This class is recommended for guests of any background—and seats up to 35 people. Instructors translate complex physics into tangible ideas: how masses moving at extreme speeds create tiny stretches and squeezes in space, how interferometers measure shifts smaller than an atom, and why gravitational-wave astronomy creates a new, complementary way to read cosmic events alongside optical or radio observations. The program includes admission to the class and telescope viewing when weather permits, giving participants a chance to pair hands-on sky viewing with conceptual breakthroughs. What makes this experience stand out in Cincinnati’s outdoor and night-sky offerings is the pairing of modern astrophysics with a neighborhood observatory setting. Where hiking and riverfront walks expose you to local geology and ecology, this class connects you to the deep-time dynamics of compact objects and relativistic physics from a place where community science lives. For travelers based in the city, it’s an efficient, high-impact nighttime activity: accessible public transit or a short drive gets you to an evening that folds together storytelling, data, and stargazing. Practical points: the session runs 1.5 hours, is suitable for families and solo travelers who are curious rather than technically trained, and accommodates groups up to 35. Bring a jacket for cooler nights; telescope viewing depends on cloud cover. This course is ideal if you want the intellectual payoff of modern astronomy without months of study—expect clear explanations of detectors, recent discoveries, and where the field is headed. Whether you’re a science fan, visiting Cincinnati, or looking for a memorable night under the stars, Gravitational Waves offers a compact, engaging gateway to one of the fastest-growing fields in astrophysics. Sessions often cover case studies from landmark detections — first binary black hole mergers and the neutron-star collision that produced both gravitational waves and light — demonstrating how simultaneous observations unlock the physics of extreme matter and test general relativity. Instructors point to ongoing upgrades in detector sensitivity and planned observatories that will expand frequency coverage. Expect time for questions, hands-on demonstrations of wave basics, and recommendations for further reading or local astronomy events that deepen the experience.

About Cincinnati Observatory

Cincinnati Observatory in Cincinnati, Ohio is a historic public observatory and education center offering guided tours, family programs, classes, and telescope viewing. Established with an original 1845 telescope still in use, the Observatory preserves 19th-century astronomical instruments and continues community outreach through diverse events.

Programs include daytime history tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays that highlight the buildings, main telescopes, safe solar viewing, and a gift shop. Sunday History Tours delve into the Observatory’s role in weather forecasting and timekeeping, showcase the original 1843 cornerstone, and feature the interactive Sundial. Evening offerings combine presentations, telescope viewing, and guided tours; Astronomy Evenings emphasize the Observatory’s historic 1845 telescope.

Hands-on and family-focused experiences span Meet a Meteorite, Interstellar Adventures for families with children ages 5–12, Family Astronomy Night, and Planet Walk Tours that scale the solar system with a 450-foot trek to Pluto. Adult-focused programming includes the Adult Astronaut Academy training camp, Space Exploration class series that explores Voyager, Galileo, and Cassini missions, and special-topic nights such as Pluto Night and astronomy archives events.

The Observatory partners with regional collectors and expert speakers for meteorite showcases, lectures, and hands-on experiments. Visitors can expect educational, science-driven experiences suitable for families, students, and adults interested in astronomy, history, and space exploration. Programming schedules and ticketing information are available through the Observatory’s official channels.

Special events include Late Night Date Night and more. Interstellar Adventures runs Saturdays with telescope viewing and pizza; attend five adventures in 2025 to enter a drawing to win a Family Membership.