Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library
Since 2021, the Library is how families, educators, and learners of all ages have explored astronomy. Now, 14 new telescope kits are available at branches across CHPL, made possible via a partnership with The Library Foundation and Cincinnati-based astronomer Dean Regas.
Borrow a Telescope
In addition to the Green Township, Groesbeck, Harrison, Loveland, Madisonville, Mariemont, Mt. Washington, North Central, Pleasant Ridge, Sharonville, Westwood, and Wyoming branch libraries, customers can now check out telescopes at the following locations:
- Blue Ash Branch Library
- Cheviot Branch Library
- College Hill Branch Library
- Forest Park Branch Library
- Downtown Main Library
- Miami Township Branch Library
- Mt. Healthy Branch Library
- Norwood Branch Library
- Oakley Branch Library
- Price Hill Branch Library
- Symmes Township Branch Library
Each new telescope kit includes one Orion StarBlast 4.5 Dobsonian Telescope, three books — 100 Things to See in the Night Sky, National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Night Sky, and Solar System for Kids — a 30–40° North Latitude guide, as well as one red LED flashlight.
100 Things to See in the Night Sky
Backyard Guide to the Night Sky
Telescopes are available to borrow for seven days. Just call or visit one of the branches listed above to make a reservation. All you need is a Library card in good standing. For more information, visit chpl.org/telescope.
Catching Up with Dean Regas
A self-taught astronomer, Dean worked at the Cincinnati Observatory from 2000 to 2023 and was the Astronomer-in-Residence at the Grand Canyon in 2021. He has authored seven books, including All About Orion, 100 Things to See in the Night Sky, and How to Teach Grown Ups About Pluto. Think of him as Cincinnati’s very own starry-eyed Bill Nye.
How to Teach Grown-ups About Pluto
Dean recently joined the Library’s Checked Out podcast to discuss the lending program, reading recommendations, and how he fell for the night sky.
Budding astronomers will find a lot to love in Dean’s books, especially 100 Things to See in the Night Sky.
“I like to think [my books] are all ages because the way I write is the way I learned astronomy in the first place: from the beginning,” says Dean. “That’s the overarching theme with the books in general. Anyone can do this. A lot of people have a passion for it, too.”
Dean says he saw first-hand how people respond to the power of telescopes through the Library’s telescope lending program. What started in 2021 as five telescopes grew to ten, and then to 15, and continues to expand.
“It will probably, by far, be one of the largest groups of Library telescopes in, at least, the region,” says Dean of CHPL’s lending program.
Mackenzie Manley is currently reading "Fantasticland" by Mike Bockoven.
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