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The Lima Astronomical Society has been serving the greater Lima area for over 50 years. We provide a forum for people interested in astronomy to network with other like minded people. We welcome new members and visitors to our meetings and observing events. Please explore our web site to learn more about us.

Astronomy Weather

Weather is extremely important to astronomers. After all, if the sky is cloudy there is nothing to look at. Beyond clouds we care about atmospheric stability (seeing) and overall water content in the atmosphere at all altitudes above us (transparency). Below you can find two unique forecasts specifically for astronomers in Lima, Ohio. Clicking on either forecast will take you to the web site where the forecasts are created.

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Lima Astronomical Society

For those that are interested, David Humphries and Michael Ritchie of the Lima Astronomical Society will be on WLIO Lima Tv's Noon Edition talking about Mondays Solar Eclipse. Show starts at 12:00pm today but we will be in the second part of the newscast.

13 hours ago

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Lima Astronomical Society

ATTENTION EVERYONE WANTING ECLIPSE GLASSES AND EVERYONE ON THE WAITING LISTS. We tried the best we could and spent all day trying to get those extra Eclipse Glasses everyone wanted. We can not dig up any more and no one in the whole area has any either.

The last I heard is TSC Cable in Wapak had a unspecified amount late today and was only handing out 4 per person. You can try them in the morning.

Schoonover Observatory will be open this Friday at 8:00 pm as part of our Summer Viewing Program. A presentation on the Solar Eclipse and what to expect will begin shortly after 8:00 pm. Observing with the telescope will follow the program and will be weather permitting.

Remember that those who were unable to receive eclipse glasses can still see the Eclipse safely at Schoonover Observatory. We will open at 12 noon. The Eclipse begins at 1:01 pm with mid-eclipse at 2:27 pm and ends at 3:49 pm.

1 day ago

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Lima Astronomical Society

Beyond our control, our supplier is completely sold out of Eclipse Glasses just like everyone else in this part of the state. There is a chance I can get 200 more later tonight. Therefore tonight's opening of Schoonover Observatory at 6:00pm for glasses sale is cancelled. If we obtain the extra glasses tonight they will be at the observatory tomorrow night (Thursday) at 6:00pm. Those on tonights waiting list will be taken care of first. Return here for updates.

Remember if you are unable to obtain any eclipse glasses, you can still come to Schoonover Observatory Monday at 12 noon to safely watch the Eclipse with our telescopes. Keep looking up.

1 day ago

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Lima Astronomical Society

Michael Ritchie of the Lima Astronomical Society will present a presentation on the "Safe and Unsafe Viewing of the Solar Eclipse" at Schoonover Observatory this Friday August 18th, 2017 at 8:00pm. Viewing with the telescope will follow the presentation.

We will most likely continue our every Friday night Summer Viewing Program throughout the month of September due to the number of cloudy Fridays we have had this year.

We only have about 100 certified safe Solar Eclipse Glasses left. Local retail sellers are sold out. I'm sure we will also be sold out by eclipse day.

You do not need to have eclipse glasses to view the eclipse through our filtered telescopes at the observatory. Schoonover Observatory will open next Monday at 12 noon. Eclipse starts at 1:01pm and will end at 3:49pm. Mid-eclipse which is where the Moon has covered the maximum amount of the Sun will occur at 2:27pm. Parking in the grass along the observatory driveway is permitted.

2 days ago

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Lima Astronomical Society

The Lima Astronomical Society opens Schoonover Observatory to the public this Friday August 11th at 8:00 pm for our annual Summer Viewing Program. We will open each Friday night at 8:00 pm through the end of August or beyond.

Michael Ritchie will present the program "The Safe Viewing of the Solar Eclipse" if there are visitors that have not seen it yet, otherwise a different astronomy topic will be shown.

Come enjoy the wonders of the universe right here in Lima. Astronomy programs are presented with our new multimedia system in the meeting room each night. Viewing with the updated Telescope and Mount will always be weather permitting. Donations are gladly accepted and tax deductible.

You can purchase our certified safe Solar Viewing Glasses from any member for $3.00 a pair to see this August's Solar Eclipse. Please don't use cheap solar glasses from the internet. You can also make a tax deductible donation to the Lima Astronomical Society and we will give you a free pair of Solar Glasses for every $10.00 in donations.

6 days ago

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