Intrigued by the greatness of outer space? Love astronomy? Discover Geauga Park District’s special Nassau Astronomical Station with members of the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society to take in the wonders of Observatory Park’s internationally recognized dark skies using our restored telescope – the largest publicly accessible research-grade scope in the state!
This spring, Saturday sessions are scheduled the evenings of May 20 from 8 to 11 p.m. and June 17 from 9 to 11 p.m. No sign-up is needed to attend; just be sure to check our website and social media before making the drive in case it is cancelled by the weather (which, as you might imagine, happens quite often in Northeast Ohio).
Reopened after significant restorations in August 2017, Nassau Astronomical Station was built in 1957 by the Warner & Swasey Company of Cleveland. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University used it for visual study of the heavens through the ‘80s. Geauga Park District teamed with CWRU to offer public Astronomy Nights at Nassau from 1994 to 2005, and after CWRU discontinued use of the station, it sold the facility to Geauga Park District in 2008.
Fundraising efforts made it possible to restore the facility and telescope to their former glory, accessible only during public programs. Visitors can also check out the former living quarters of this historic building, as well as museum elements celebrating Ohio’s place in the history of astronomy, research done within the building.
Nassau Astronomical Station is accessed by a separate entrance to Observatory Park, just north of the main entrance, at 10350 Clay Street in Montville Township.
For more on Geauga Park District offerings, please call 440-286-9516 or visit Geauga Park District online via www.geaugaparkdistrict.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.
