Cincinnati Observatory

After a very hurried dinner with Emmy and Nate we set out in search of the Observatory. We were so excited only to find when we got there they we weren't able to see anything because of thick cloud cover.
world's oldest telescope
And if there is a globe anywhere in sight...Michael will gravitate to it. Only this was a globe of the moon. You should have seen his eyes when he realized what it was.
Mr. History Buff...Cincinnati is the birthplace of American Astronomy...The first public observatory in the western hemisphere...registered as a National History Landmark
There weren't too many people visiting so Michael had the whole place to himself. The men that were there to tell us all about the Observatory were kind enough to let Michael rotate the roof of the dome.
Since we couldn't look at the moon...we got to look up in the telescope to see what the moon sees when we look at it. Actually the inside of the telescope is a very simple thing...refracting light.
the big white telescope
Michael got to close the dome tight with a big bang. The worker said that he closes it with a bang so he can remember if he closed it each night.

We are planning a trip back in October for Harvest Moon Night. We are going to pack a picnic and sit on the lawn to watch the moon come up. Then go into the Observatory to see it up close. Pray for a clear sky!

Be sure to check Michael's blog.