Ritter Planetarium and Brooks Observatory

08/25/2026

Don't forget! Set a reminder on your phone. This lunar eclipse is coming Thursday night and the weather looks great with a mostly clear sky. This will be the best lunar eclipse until June 25th 2029. While the coming lunar eclipse won't be a total eclipse, it will be close at 93%. That means a "blood moon" will cover most of the moon just after midnight on August 27th to the 28th. The details of the eclipse are below. Most of the world will get to see this. All of North and South America along with Africa and Europe are in the path of this eclipse.

08/14/2026

I want to advertise a wonderful opportunity run by the American Astronomical Society called Shapley Lectures. If you are a K-12, museum, library, planetarium, community center, and other nonprofit or educational organization you are welcome to apply. They are specifically looking for places that don't have easy access to astrophysicists.

https://aas.org/education/shapley-hosts-info

I am a Shapley Lecturer this year and did my first one at Clinton Community School District and it was absolutely wonderful. I got to talk with some many students, teachers, and community members during my 3-day visit.

If you are interested in applying and have any questions, please feel free to reach out and we can chat. The deadline is Sept 18, 2026.

08/11/2026

There has been a change to the parking rules for our public programs on Fridays and Saturdays. Parking is still free, but you must enter your license plate into the ParkUToledo system.

We are trying to make the transition as painless as possible. You will be able to access the site either by a QR code (if you are comfortable with them) or a computer (with staff assistance if necessary) in the lobby. You are also able to enter your information ahead of time.

The details are given here https://www.utoledo.edu/nsm/rpbo/directions.html, and so please read them before you come to a public show.

And of course, please ask any questions you might have.

Hope to see you in the dome!

The University of Toledo UToledo College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics UToledo Physics and Astronomy

08/04/2026

A new show for the month of August!
The University of Toledo UToledo College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics UToledo Physics and Astronomy

07/17/2026

Because of air quality issues, the planetarium show for Friday July 17, is cancelled. Hope to see you in the dome in the future!

Send a message to learn more

06/29/2026

A new show for July! But no show on July 3rd. See you in the dome!

The University of ToledoUToledo College of Natural Sciences and MathematicsUToledo Physics and Astronomy

06/03/2026

A new show for June! Our Saturday-afternoon shows will return in the fall.
The University of Toledo UToledo College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics UToledo Physics and Astronomy

05/21/2026

Tonight the Moon shines upper left of Jupiter and Venus in the darkening dusk. The Moon makes an isosceles triangle (two equal sides) with Jupiter and Pollux.
https://buff.ly/Xn2J9MR

04/29/2026

Two new shows for the month of May! (But note that there will be no Saturday show on May 2). Hope to see you in the dome!

The University of Toledo UToledo College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics UToledo Physics and Astronomy

04/18/2026

Bored with the rain? Why not come out to Astronomy Day! We have liquid nitrogen ice cream, free planetarium shows, talks by UToledo astronomers, and kids' room with coloring, legos, and more!