Where is the Moeller Observatory

The Moeller Observatory is located along the Ohio River in South-Central Ohio, near Wrightsville and Manchester. It is about a 90 minute drive East from downtown Cincinnati.

Who owns The Moeller Observatory

The Moeller Observatory is a privately owned observatory, founded by Cincinnati area businessman and lifelong amateur astronomer Dieter Moeller. Dieter Moeller is the Chairman of RH Aero Systems, a global aerospace company headquartered in Mason, Ohio.

Who uses The Moeller Observatory

While Dieter Moeller spends time at the observatory himself, the bulk of activity is conducted by members of the Cincinnati Astronomical Society (CAS). The Moeller Observatory and CAS have partnered to allow use of the facility by members of CAS, and CAS handles most of the operations and activities at the observatory site. You can learn more about CAS and how they manage activities at The Moeller Observatory by visiting cinastro.org/moeller

How can I visit The Moeller Observatory?

The easiest way to be able to visit The Moeller Observatory is to become a member of the Cincinnati Astronomical Society. CAS typically tries to hold at least one member event there per month, depending on weather and favorable moon phases. CAS is also committed to holding public outreach events on the site, but those events are scheduled on a periodic, invitation-only basis.

If I become a member of the Cincinnati Astronomical Society (CAS) can I operate the telescopes?

Generally speaking, no. In order to maintain a positive working relationship with The Moeller Observatory, CAS has designated a team of CAS members who are authorized to run the telescopes on site. This team of members operates the telescopes on behalf of all other CAS members who visit. CAS members who visit on designated members nights can take advantage of the site itself as well as observing through the telescopes being operated by this group of CAS members, also known as the CAS Moeller Observatory Team.

How is astrophotography being conducted?

The CAS Moeller Observatory Team periodically acquires imaging data from the Moeller telescopes. This data is then provided to all members of CAS who are in good standing. Members can process this data as their own, provided they agree to proper attribution for each image.       

Is there overnight activity at The Moeller Observatory.

Yes. On designated CAS member nights, most members spend the night there on the Moeller camping terrace. This camping area can hold between 20-30 tents, and provides access to electrical outlets for campers to use.

Are there bathrooms on site?

Yes, the Moeller Roll-off observatory has two full bathrooms including showers for visitors to use.

Are there any other amenities?

In addition to the camping area and full bathrooms, there is also a kitchen area with a refrigerator, a sink and a microwave.

How dark is it at The Moeller Observatory?

Adams County is know for its dark skies which are conducive to astronomy activities. It is between a 4 and 5 on the Bortle scale. Details in the Milky Way are easy to pick out including The Lagoon Nebula. The core of the Andromeda galaxy is also naked-eye visible on clear nights.

Accessibility

The Moeller Observatory has areas where those with limited mobility can visit and observe such as the observing platform. However the main dome is not wheelchair accessible due to the scope being on the second level and the spiral staircase. The roll-off building does have doors and access that would allow wheelchairs to enter the observing deck, however it may not be possible to view objects at lower altitudes due to the nature of the telescopes, their mounts and the resulting position of the eyepiece for those objects.