John Glenn Astronomy Park — Attraction in Logan

Look up…because you never know what you might discover when it gets dark outside at the John Glenn Astronomy Park.

John Glenn Astronomy Park is a Bortle 4 dark sky area that is free and open to the public 7 days a week. On the weekends, volunteers bring the night sky to life inspiring visitors to look up and see the fascinating objects orbiting above them.

Named after astronaut John Glenn, one of Ohio’s famous natives, the park is a tribute to this first American who orbited the moon in 1962. Unfortunately, John Glenn passed away in 2017 the year before the park opened in 2018. Although he wasn’t alive to see the grand opening, his name will live on in Logan, Ohio.

This unique astro experience is made possible as a project of the Friends of Hocking Hills State Park, which is a nonprofit organization focused on improving the park and the surrounding areas. It was this group who raised the $1.1 million dollars needed to make this place a reality.

On Fridays and Saturdays, volunteers share their knowledge so we can better understand the universe that surrounds us.

Although the programs on Fridays and Saturdays (weather permitting) are free, you are asked to obtain a parking pass at no cost on the the John Glenn Astronomy Park website. The night we were there, they were expecting 300 attendees. It was going to be a busy night.

During the park’s weekend star gazing programs, volunteers pull out their large telescopes so the public can see up close the planets and nebulas that are miles and miles away in deep space.

When you look up toward the night’s sky, it’s weird to think you are really taking in a glimpse of the past due to how light travels.

Located just a few miles from the Hocking Hills State Park Visitor Center, this place is fun, family friendly, and a bit quirky; great for those who have an interest in...

This might have been my favorite experience in Hocking Hills. The man that literally created the park was there doing a program of sorts. As if it wasn't cool enough everyone there with their awesome telescopes. This man had a green laser that could reach up into the heavens and point out stars. Which he did extensively. Not only did he point them out, he shared history surrounding each start and constellation. How they got their names, how the move in the sky, how old they might be, how far away they are.....and so on and so on. It was not only breathtakingly beautiful night sky viewing, but incredibly informative and educational. I will not be making a trip to Hocking hills again without going and visiting John Glenn astronomy Park. Check the weather for clear night skys and do yourself a favor and go. It starts to get good around 10,11 and 12. Take a blanket or lawn chairs, anti-gravity chairs would be so fitting. Bring a drink and a snack and enjoy the view. Don't miss out on this amazing experience. I cannot finish this review without mentioning how wonderfully entertaining the man who built this space was. He is extremely knowledgeable and shares it in such a non intimidating way. Really speaking the vastness of space and it's wonders and bringing it to our level that even a child could appreciate. He overflowed with energy that was contagious. Captivated your senses and transported you into space by his stories. There was a man at the entrance that explained they did programs on Fridays and Saturdays if the sky was clear in the summer. Also it should be noted that they said to see the milky way the best is in July and August. Go around 9 to see the space and stay at least to 12 to appreciate it's...

A few tips:

1. If you’re coming from Columbus, driving to the park once you get off 33 in the dark can be taxing if you’re not used to it - I would keep this in mind if you don’t handle stressful driving situations well (still absolutely worth it in my opinion!) it’s only 15 minutes of the total drive as well.

2. Save the GPS route to go home before you leave! The service at the park is extremely spotty at best and waiting 5 minutes for your route to load takes some fun out of it.

3. Go on a clear night with little or no moon, of course!

Onto the review…

This was awesome. It’s crazy how being in the city for so long can make you forget what dark looks like. I have seen the stars before but it had been years - here you can see them nearly all the way to the horizon in all directions - you really feel like you’re on a globe. The Milky Way is visible in the vague way it is, taking rough shape across the sky. If you focus on one part of the sky you can suddenly see more where it was previously dark - it’s startling! All in all it was incredible. Absolutely recommend this to anyone, it’s in our DNA to see the stars I think, and we greatly lack it nowadays.

I went around 10-10:30 and there were maybe a dozen other people there. I was a bit apprehensive to go to this random park in the middle of the night alone, but...