Warren Rupp Observatory

08/17/2026

Public Viewing Opportunity

There will be public viewing through our 36-inch telescope on September 5th beginning approximately 9:00 PM EDT. Other telescope provided by RAS Members may be brought out as well, weather permitting. The public viewing takes place at our Observatory located on the grounds of the Hidden Hollow Resident Camp, 5127 Possum Run Road near Bellville. Viewing is admission-free, however, donations are accepted via our donations box.

08/16/2026

Astronomy enthusiasts are set to celebrate INTERNATIONAL OBSERVE THE MOON NIGHT on Saturday, September 19. All activities will take place at the Warren Rupp Observatory near Bellville, Ohio from 7 PM-10:30 PM EDT. The free event will include a presentation on the Moon at 7:30, followed by children’s activities, free popcorn, snow cones and telescope views of the Moon beginning at 8:30. A Certificate of Participation will be offered to all those attending. The Observatory is located at on the grounds of the Hidden Hollow Camp, 5127 Possum Run Road in Bellville. All outdoor events are weather permitting.

International Observe the Moon Night is a worldwide public event that encourages observation, appreciation and understanding of our Moon and its connection to space science, exploration, and human culture. This annual event connects scientists, educators and lunar enthusiasts from around the world.

International Observe the Moon Night is sponsored by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission and the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, with many contributors. Observe the Moon Night is made possible by the members of the Richland Astronomical Society, a not-for-profit organization.

08/03/2026

Wednesday 2:34AM

The Moon is about to get a new crater — and this one will be made by us. A spent upper stage from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is predicted to slam into the lunar surface on August 5, 2026, at about 5,400 miles per hour. That sounds dramatic, and in one sense it is. Let’s be […]

07/27/2026

The 2026 Hidden Hollow Astronomy Star Party will be held Friday, September 11th – Saturday, September 12th, 2026

Long-time star party fans know the legend of Hidden Hollow as one of the friendliest and most comfortable star parties around. We’re nestled deep in the woods of Hidden Hollow resident camp in northeast Ohio near the town of Mansfield. Each year we provide some of the finest guest speakers availab...

07/20/2026

Public Viewing Opportunity

There will be public viewing through our 36-inch telescope on August 1st beginning approximately 9:30 PM EDT. Other telescope provided by RAS Members may be brought out as well, weather permitting. The public viewing takes place at our Observatory located on the grounds of the Hidden Hollow Resident Camp, 5127 Possum Run Road near Bellville.

Those wishing to arrive earlier will have an opportunity to view a program by Larry Johns and the Helios Project (https://theheliosproject.space ). This public event commences at 8:30 PM. Both the program and observing events are admission-free, however donations are accepted via our donations box.

07/13/2026

On Saturday, August 1 Larry Johns will present a program on The Helios Project (https://theheliosproject.space). The Helios Project is an outdoor exhibit with the purpose to educate visitors on the vast size and diversity of our universe in an outdoor environment. His program will take place following a club business meeting. Start time for the Helios Project program is 8:30 PM EDT. The public are welcome to attend.

Following the program by Mr. Johns, there will be an opportunity for public viewing through our 36-inch telescope, weather permitting.

The Richland Astronomical Society is a member-fueled, outreach-centered, non-profit organization. Donations are appreciated and are accepted via our provided donation boxes.

06/27/2026

Program for July 4

Our program for the RAS Meeting on July 4th will be a slide show featuring the visits to Arizona by Michael Mlay and Mitch Luman, who made respective trips to Kitt Peak National Observatory and Lowell Observatory this spring.
The day's activities will include the following:

4 PM Gathering
6 PM Potluck Dinner (bring a dish or desert to share)
8 PM Meeting
9 PM Program

The public are welcome to attend the program at beginning at 9 PM with observing with our 36-inch telescope immediately following, weather permitting.

06/26/2026

Public Viewing Opportunity

There will be public viewing through our 36-inch telescope on July 4th beginning approximately 10 PM EDT. Other telescope will be available as well, weather permitting. The public viewing takes place at our Observatory located on the grounds of the Hidden Hollow Resident Camp, 5127 Possum Run Road near Bellville.

Those wishing to come earlier will have an opportunity to view a slide show by two Richland Astronomical Society Members recounting their recent trips to two major western observatories. This public program commences at 9 PM. Both the program and observing are admission-free. Donations are accepted.

06/22/2026

The Club's Stellina Telescope Lives!
I had an opportunity to do a software update and use the club's Stellina telescope a couple nights ago. Pretty slick. Easy for beginners to use. Here are a few images I took using this portable smart telescope. The deep sky objects were imaged for < 20-minutes. The telescope and iPad to control the Stellina can be borrowed for 30-day periods by Members in Good Standing. You'll need to get with an officer, however, to initiate the loan as the iPad and scope are kept in separate, locked locations.

04/29/2026

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/film-screening-and-observatory-open-house-tickets-1988409434144?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us for a cool movie night and stargazing at the observatory—fun under the stars!