Yellow Springs observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Yellow Springs observatory is an astronomical facility in Ohio, United States, operated by the Miami Valley Astronomical Society (MVAS), an amateur astronomy group founded in 1918.
About Yellow Springs observatory
Known formally as the John Bryan Observatory (JBO), the site sits inside John Bryan State Park and has been leased from the State of Ohio since 1977. The land was originally a U.S. Air Force satellite tracking facility housing two tracking telescopes, which were abandoned by the mid-1970s before MVAS took over the site.
History
MVAS, founded in 1918, has run the observatory since 1977, converting a former military tracking station into a community astronomy resource. A 15-foot dome sits within a fenced compound to protect the equipment.
Location & getting there
The observatory is located at 3790 State Route 370, Yellow Springs, Ohio, within John Bryan State Park in the North America region.
Visiting Yellow Springs observatory
The Miami Valley Astronomical Society engages thousands of visitors each year through monthly meetings, public stargazing nights and outreach events. Check the MVAS website for current event schedules before visiting.
See your named star from here
A society built around public stargazing nights is an ideal place to bring the coordinates of a star you've named and see it through a real telescope. Name a star or browse the catalogue to see what's already been registered.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
