By today's standards, the Cincinnati Observatory is incredibly low tech. But when this telescope was ordered back in 1843, it was cutting edge. People who tour the Observatory see the older telescope. And they see the newer and larger 1904 telescope as well, which, just like the other one, works perfectly. Now, one really cool thing about these telescopes, not only can you see into the stars, you can see into the past. Read more
Stargazers soon will be able to peruse the planets in a more historically accurate setting when the last phase of a $3 million restoration of one of the oldest observatories in the United States ends. The restoration of the Cincinnati Observatory that began in 1998 will be completed this spring. The first part focused on major structural repairs and restoration of the building, and restoration of the interior of the National Historic Landmark will be finished by May.