John Glenn Astronomy Park

It is open 24/7

You'll have better luck finding a cabin close to this park.

They unplug the light at night to not disturb the viewing. This is true as least on clear nights when they are doing a program, Friday and Saturday's.

Yes

Amateur Astromers are a very friendly and helpful group. There are no guarantees, but I bet you would be able to find someone to help you out.

All day and all night. Friday and Saturday are event nights if the skies are clear. They bring out telescopes and open the observatory. Lots of fun for the family.

Yes, it is! It was gorgeous!!

Yes! As long as the sky is clear (no clouds, no weather issues) you will have a terrific time! Also, if you have a fairly recent phone you can take pictures with it using pro mode! The results are amazing. If you want the settings, here they are: ISO 3600 MANUAL FOCUS 0.9 SPEED 30 (picture will take 30 seconds to capture) This will help you capture the night sky with the most light getting you the most stars. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Yes. The Jupiter bench in the center of the plaza has power. You will want to get there early however as there are several of us use this power for astrophotography.

Yes, but more of a latrine.

Yes!

We stopped during the day. It would appear that you mostly bring your own equipment. The pavilion is a large patio in the shape of a compass/star map (not an expert in this area apologize for wrong terms) The center of the patio has some type of perminent viewing ocular that is orientated toward to the North Star. My impression is that the park probably has some organized viewing events with equipment provided from time to time. Maybe check out website for schedule. If you aren't familiar with the area Google maps can be your friend for directions at night. Although keep in mind the cell signal can be sketchy in hills ... probably best to print out the map before hand for a backup. I lost signal a few times which just made things a bit more adventurous !

I thought it was 5 at one time

Depends on the weather,clouds ect. But yeah. Went sat night unfortunately clouds were in the way. I talked to people who were there fri night, there had a great view. About 150 people both nights. Yeah

There is a blacktop parking lot that can park 16 car, and there are two handicap parking spots too. The parking lot is located directly behind the observatory and astronomy plaza. There is also overflow parking on the grassy area along the driveway entrance. We can park over 40 cars there.

As Andrew said

As others have said the main scope is only available during scheduled programs. Since anyone can take their scope there any time, you might want to see when some special astronomical event (meteor shower, conjunction, etc) is going to take place and try then. We were there on two different nights with our scope and only a couple other people showed up. it was no a night when there was a scheduled program.

There are regularly scheduled programs on Friday and Saturday nights through November 9. Check the website to register as they have limited seating and they do cancel for weather. Jgap.info is the website

Parking is always free

Yes there is parking UNLESS there is an event scheduled where they already have taken reservations for parking. Parking is limited. There have been times when the lot is full and cars are turned away. But yes, normally there is plenty of parking for i think 70 cars?

Yes after is fine you just can't show up during because there wont be enough parking but if you come before or after the event you cannot use their telescopes

Yes you should be fine

Yes you can

I recommend getting there's before dark though.

No They renamed Columbus Internàtional Airport after him just before he died.

The park is open to the public 24/7 however the observatory will not be. You are welcome to bring your own telescope and observe or just come out to look up at the beautiful sky. Happy New Year.

Nothing at this time. The programs are over for this year and at this time it is suppose to be raining on Friday.

On the site it tells you. If you scroll down it says reserve a spot

Yes. This is right behind the state park cabins. We walked over from our cabin. And all over through other agencies but it would be a drive. Nothing too far

There is an old park swing set playscape about 100 yards deeper or South of the courtyard. Even though the satellite view is before the park was built, you can zoom in and see it there. I was there a month ago.

No but hoxking camp is close and if u rent a cabin there is a path to it

There are cabins nearby and some people walked there from behind the park.

They provide big telescopes and open up the Observatory. They are for everyone to look through with volunteers right there with them to answer questions and to help you. Some people brought their own telescopes and binoculars.

Yes, but the crowd was large. There is plenty of grass area where you can sit away from the crowd and still participate. I saw a dog when we went.

Free

We arrived early and had no trouble getting in or out.

It was awesome!