The club is open to the public to people with an interest and desire to learn more about astronomy. Public Programs and Star Parties are open to the general public and are usually held at at one of three sites in the Cleveland Metroparks, Brecksville Road, Bradley Woods or Lewis Road. Programs in Medina County are usually held at Letha House Park. The astronomy club and support group for the Cincinnati Observatory Center. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month and are open to the public.
Meetings consist of club business followed by an astronomical lecture.
After the meetings members use the center two historic telescopes for viewing. FOTO also provides the support staff for the center, giving tours, providing lectures, operating the telescopes and running special functions. With clear skies we also use the 14-inch Celestron and computer. The Mahoning Valley Astronomical Society was founded in 1939, and the needs of Amateur Astronomers in Trumbull, Mahoning, Portage and Columbiana counties. The Society's showpiece is the Mahoning Valley Observatory, located on Ohio Route 534 in Braceville Township.