History Bites

Take a bite out of History! Join us for a lunchtime presentation and an afternoon of history at the Cincinnati Observatory on May 17, 2024 from 12-1 p.m. Please bring your own lunch.

Our next topic is : Mythology of Eclipses: History, Science and Fiction

Mythology of Eclipses: History, Science and Fiction covers a broad range of historical accounts and viewpoints of eclipses. From cultural views in ancient history and mythology, such as the Bakunawa, a serpent-like dragon in Philippine mythology that was thought to be the cause of natural phenomena like earthquakes, wind, rain and eclipses. Then to early historical accounts and documentation of eclipses, and eclipses in fiction, such as in Issac Asimov’s 1941 short story Nightfall where a planet usually covered in sunlight all the time, sees darkness befall them. Come learn the nuances and historical stories of eclipses with this engaging and intriguing presentation with Cincinnati Observatory’ s Assistant Collections Manager, Mandy Askins.

Observatory exhibits, gift shop, and its buildings and grounds will be open during and after the presentation. Weather permitting, we’ll have solar viewing through our historic 1845 Merz and Mahler 11” refracting telescope in the adjacent Mitchel Building after the presentation.
$10 for non-members, Free for Members

Host or Publisher The Cincinnati Observatory