FAQ
Q. When will you be doing programs for the public?
A. We normally do be programs on Friday and Saturday nights at Sunset, weather permitting. These programs run from early March through Thanksgiving. During the height of summer we sometimes do a daytime, sun-based, program a few hours before sunset. Check our calendar, under "programs" or our Facebook page for more detail about times, scheduling, and cancellation.
Q. How do I attend a program?
Because our programs are popular, we require that folks who intend to drive to JGAP and park in our lot secure a free parking pass. These are posted here:
http://registration.jgap.org
Generally, few days in advance of the program additional passes are posted at the bottom of the list to accommodate folks who are making last minute plans. Once those are gone, we are fully booked and have no parking space left.
Space is infinite, our parking area is not.
Visitors to the Hocking Hills Lodge and Hocking Hills State Park Cabins (immediately alongside JGAP, may walk over. The walking path is between cabins 8 and 9. Because of dangerous conditions in the park at night, visitors to any other part of the park may not walk over.
Q: All the passes are gone, I’ve planned my whole vacation around this, what am I to do?
We post passes in “waves”. A bunch of passes are posted several weeks ahead of time. Then, usually by Wednesday on the week of the program, we add additional passes to the list. (The number depends on how many large groups we anticipate, and cancellations). Check Wednesday evening.
If you still aren’t able to get a pass, know that the parking area generally clears out somewhat about two to two and a half hours after the stated program time (longer in summer, shorter in fall and spring), when the lines have shortened for the telescopes. You’ll miss the talk, but you will get to look through a telescope or two if we’re still going.
Please note: Parking at this time becomes “first come, first served”. Be aware that there may not be room for you to park if you do this.
In other words, please plan in advance if you can.
Q: Has anyone cancelled? Can I take their spot?
Cancellations are factored into the number of spots available in the parking reservation system. Unfortunately, it is impossible to keep up with individual cancellations, particularly when the program will start in just a few hours and all our staff and volunteers are busy getting set up at JGAP for the evening.
Q. What does it cost?
Visits and programs are free. However, if you like JGAP and would like to contribute to the Endowment campaign of the Friends of the Hocking Hills, please visit: HERE
Q. What if the weather is bad?
A. Astronomy is, alas, at the mercy of the weather- and Ohio's weather is notoriously fickle. Our programs are weather contingent. If it is raining or extremely cloudy, the public program will be cancelled that night (or that day in the case of daytime programs). Check the blue "banner" at jgap.org, or our Facebook Page, for up to date information.
Q. Can I bring my own telescope to observe with?
A. Of course! The JGAP was originally conceived as a place where members of the public who are interested in stargazing can enjoy the night sky at a location that is free of light pollution. In fact, on any night of the week we are not doing a program, you may freely drive up. If you don’t have a telescope, binoculars are great to use on the night sky as well.
Q. Do you have a telescope that general visitors can use?
Unfortunately, there is no practical and safe way to have a publicly available astronomical telescope for folks to use independently on non-program nights. However, volunteers at JGAP programs are trusted to “adopt” telescopes for the evening of a program as they are sharing views with the general public. Visitors are welcome to bring their own telescopes.
Q. Do I have to have a telescope to use JGAP?
A. For some, the best stargazing is done with the binoculars we were born with- our eyes! So, all are welcome, telescope or not!
Q. Can I camp at the John Glenn Astronomy Park?
A. Camping will not be permitted on the site. However, the site will be open to the public 24 hours a day and 7 days a week (except for special events), and, if you've got the stamina to stay up all night, there's nothing to keep you from enjoying the sky all night long.
The Hocking Hills State Park has several nearby camping areas and many cabins for rental. The broader Hocking Hills region is home to many bed-and-breakfasts, cabins, and small resorts. Information about the Hocking Hills State Park campsite and cabin rentals can be found here. Information about private accommodations can be found here.
Q. Can I bar-b-Que, Grill, or bring a picnic or lawn chair?
A. The light from campfires and grills disturbs those who attempt to use the site, and produces ashes that will soil telescope optics, so any form of open flame will not be permitted on the site. However, if you'd like to lay down a blanket or set up a lawn chair, please feel free! (Blankets are especially appropriate for nights on which meteor showers are predicted).
Q: Bathrooms?
We have "park style" outhouses on site. There is no running water, but if you have an urgent need, they are available and cleaned and restocked weekly. There is hand sanitizer for cleaning your hands.
Q: ADA compliance?
We have two ADA parking spots which we hold in reserve for those who need them. There are no impediments to chairs or those with mobility issues between these spots and our paved plaza.
At our programs, telescopes out in the plaza can generally be pointed at objects that would place the eyepiece at an accessible height. Just ask, and we'll do our best! Note that the the large "Wow!" telescope in the observatory usually requires climbing a short ladder to view through.
Q. Pets?
A: Pets on a leash and under control are fine during the day. Please keep "business" outside the fence line- people will be setting up in our grass on many nights. A good spot is behind the telephone pole next to the ditch to the west of the parking lot. At night, pets have a habit of knocking into telescopes, and we discourage visits with pets after dark unless they are particularly well behaved.
Q. I'd like to help, who do I get in touch with?
A. Please write to director@jgap.org or click the "Volunteer" tab above. Thank you!