A Distinguished
Northeast Ohio
Astronomy Organization
Since 1957.

The Cuyahoga Astronomical Association Observatory and How to Get There...

CAA's 16-Inch NewtonianThe CAA observatory was dedicated July 21, 2001 and is located at Medina County's Letha House Park, due east of Spencer, Ohio. Many years of effort went into making the dream of a permanent club observatory a reality. It houses several club-owned, member-built telescopes: a 10-inch Cassegrain, 12-inch Newtonian (Dobson-type portable), and two 16-inch Newtonians which are available for member use (see rules below). A solar telescope is being installed. The observatory is operated in cooperation with the Medina County Park District (which owns the property).

Google Map to CAA Observatory
Richman Road - North of Spencer Lake Road*
Spencer, OH 44275

*NOTE: The Park System has closed the old entrance
off of Spencer Lake Road and created a new drive
with access off of Richman Road.
See directions below!


LATITUDE: 41° 06.805 N
LONGITUDE: 82° 03.644 W
ELEVATION: 1,005 ft.

CAA Observatory Public Nights

Saturday, August 14

CAA Observatory Open House at Letha House park starting at 8:00 p.m.  There is no talk or presentation for this event.

Saturday, September 18
CAA Observatory Open House at Letha House park starting at 8:00 p.m.  There is no talk or presentation for this event.

Saturday, November 13
CAA presentation and star party at 8:00 p.m. at Wolf Creek Environmental Center.  In observance of the International Year of Solar Astronomy, the  Medina County Parks and the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association will be presenting a talk on the Sun (the brightest star in our sky!), the Moon (the brightest object in our night sky!), and what's up tonight (the other stuff that's fun to see!).  The presentation will be put on rain or shine.  Weather permitting please bring your telescopes for the public star party that will follow the presentation.

In cooperation with the Medina County Park System, come see deep sky objects, planets, and the Moon up close using the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association's telescopes.

Presentations are for individuals ages 10 to adult. Cancellations will only be made in the case of severe thunderstorms.
No registration required.
There is no fee to attend.


To register for programs, call the park office at:
(330) 722-9364, (330) 225-7100 ext. 9364, or (330) 336-6657 ext 9364.


The observatory opens for scheduled public nights at dusk, weather conditions permitting.

HOW TO GET THERE:

From the North or South:

  • Take I-71 to the Brunswick exit (Exit 226 / State Route 303).
  • At the end of the ramp, turn West onto Rt. 303.
  • Take Rt. 303 West to Rt. 83. Turn left onto Rt. 83 (South).
  • Follow Rt. 83 past Rt. 18 to Spencer Lake Road.
  • Turn right onto Spencer Lake Road (West).
  • Take Spencer Lake Road to Richman Road and turn right. Up the rise and on the left (west) side of the road is the entry drive to the parking lot serving the Observatory and lake area. The drive and entry were newly created in 2009.

From the East:

  • Take your best route to Rt. 83. Turn onto Rt. 83.
  • Follow Rt. 83 to Spencer Lake Road (see map for directions).
  • Turn onto Spencer Lake Road (West).
  • Take Spencer Lake Road to Richman Road and turn right. Up the rise and on the left (west) side of the road is the entry drive to the parking lot serving the Observatory and lake area. The drive and entry were newly created in 2009.

 For an Adobe Acrobat printable map sheet with instructions, click here.

CAA Observatory Rules

  1. Must be Current Member of CAA to have observatory privileges.
  2. All members and guests shall adhere to the rules of the CAA and the Medina County Park.
  3. Standing Rules of the Medina County Park shall supersede any pertinent CAA rules.
  4. CAA Members having access to use the observatory will be certified (trained on the observatory scopes and operation of equipment, i.e., and roof roll off mechanism). They will be given the combination to the lock on observatory entrance. They will need to sign a document covering liability and equipment damage.
  5. Call Park Office during business hours or sheriff's office after hours to let them know you will be down there. Medina County Park District: (330) 722-9364
  6. Park in designated areas only. Driving on grass is not permitted during wet conditions.
  7. All persons are to sign in upon arrival at the observatory. A sign-up sheet will be located in the observatory. If pole barn is used, one person must sign in on the clipboard located in the pole barn and indicate number of people on site. Settings on the electric heater in the building are not to be changed.
  8. Observatory is for club equipment; no storage of personal equipment allowed.
  9. Public Programs take precedence over private use of Observatory.
  10. Visual use of telescope a group activity, (there for everyone's use). Person limited to one scope at a time unless operating alone. Visual use has priority over photography.
  11. Special event photography is by reservation only. Contact the Observatory Director and/or Club President for requested date and time.
  12. You are responsible for the condition of equipment you use during your use of observatory.
  13. The site should be left in same or better condition than when you arrived. Return items to their proper locations; pick up litter and refuse.
  14. In case of emergency call Park Ranger at (330) 571-3759, or Sheriff at (330) 725-6631, and Observatory Director and/or Club President.

Misuse of Park/Observatory Property

  1. Breaking of Observatory use rules, Medina Park Rules, or damage to grass areas (car ruts), will result in loss of site privileges.
  2. Continued breaking of rules can result in revoking of club membership at discretion of CAA Board of Directors.

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