The Department of Astronomy and the Arne Slettebak Planetarium sponsor several public outreach programs serving the OSU community and the citizens of central Ohio. These programs are designed to educate the public about astronomy through planetarium shows, telescope viewing nights, lectures and reading materials.
Monthly Movie Night: Science Fiction vs. Science Fact
Join us at the end of each month for a panel discussion of subject matter experts who will reveal the fact vs. fiction behind popular sci-fi films!
MAIL Boxes
Mobile Astronomy Instruction and Lesson Boxes: Inquiry-based and/or kinesthetic learning opportunities from the OSU Department of Astronomy. These fully contained lessons in a box will be delivered upon request (and availability) complete with a content expert from OSU to deliver the lesson and to be available for other topic-related questions. Alternately, lessons can be presented to your group on the OSU campus as part of a field trip combined with a visit to the OSU Planetarium or reproduced with the content and materials provided with each lesson description.
New Vistas in Astronomy Lecture Series
A mini-course on the Universe for the general public. The new Vistas in Astronomy Lectures are given by OSU faculty each month at the Perkins Observatory in Delaware, Ohio.
Telescope Lending Library
Check out telescopes for your group. You may borrow any our 2 6-inch telescopes and/or binoculars. Each set of equipment will come with star-wheels / planispheres for use during the time borrowed. These telescopes are for educational groups only and will be lent out at our discretion.
At Home Astronomy Activities
We have compiled a quick list of educational websites for children of all ages interested in astronomy. There are activities ranging from coloring pages to hands on experiments. Please email us photos of your projects and we will post them on our social media pages!
Roof Nights
These are planetarium shows and telescope viewing sessions open to all OSU students enrolled in the introductory astronomy courses during the school year. Members of the OSU community (students, staff, and their immediate families) are welcome to attend on a space-available basis with prior arrangement. Due to space limitations, Roof Nights are not open to the general public, but we do sponsor occasional public programs during the year through OSU's Arne Slettebak Planetarium.