Business Meetings

The Business Meetings start at 7PM and last about one hour, followed by observing (if clear). These could prove a little boring to a new person who is primarily interested in learning what the Kopernik Astronomical Society does. We suggest that people interested in learning what the KAS and Kopernik is all about would be best off coming to a Friday Night Public Observing Session.
 

AstroFest & Star Parties

Winter Star Party

Dates: Saturday, February 6, 2010

The KAS will hold its Winter Star Party regardless of sky conditions. There will be speakers on various astronomy topics such as Buying a Telescope and Current Events in Space. Brave the cold and see winter constellations, star clusters, nebulae, and much more at Kopernik’s dark site using our observatory’s powerful telescopes.

AstroFest 2010

Dates: TBD - Thursday, Friday & Saturday, Sept. or Oct. 2010

AstroFest is the KAS's annual celebration of astronomy! Kopernik will be open for camping and observing on Thursday evening Sept. 20, 2007 and with special programs and events starting on Friday evening and continuing on Saturday afternoon and evening. There will be observing until dawn (weather permitting) on Sunday.

Special Events

Cherry Springs Star Party

Location: Cherry Springs State Park in Potter County, Pennsylvania.

Dates: Thursday, June 10 thru Sunday, June 13, 2010.

KAS Interest: The Cherry Springs Star Party (CSSP) is a relatively new dark-sky observing event hosted by the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg PA. Cherry Springs State Park is one of the darkest sites in the state of Pennsylvania. KAS Members have attended both the CSSP and the Black Forest Star Party at this location. CSSP has become a wonderful "Spring Break" dark sky event. Register early because it fills up fast! Note that this site is also available for observing during other spring, summer, and fall days (camping fee of $5 per night). The State of Pennsylvania is rapidly improving Cherry Springs State Park for use by astronomers. They have added a heated flush-toilet facility and many additional AC power hook-ups, and will be adding facilities including an astronomy-related visitors' center and planetarium in the future. There are also three domes and a roll-off roof shelter that are available for rent to house your telescope.

Northeast Astro Imaging Conference

Dates: Thursday & Friday April 15 & 16, 2010 (the two days before NEAF)

Location: Rockland Community College, 145 College Rd., Suffern, New York.

KAS Interest: The goal of this conference is to bring together interested amateurs to discuss imaging techniques and projects. Subjects: Deep Sky and High Resolution Planetary imaging; Digital cameras; Photometry and Spectroscopy. Check the link for the long list of famous speakers.

Northeast Astronomy Forum & Telescope Show (NEAF)

Dates: Saturday and Sunday April 17 & 18, 2010

Location: Rockland Community College, 145 College Rd., Suffern, New York.

KAS Interest: This event has one of the world's biggest "Astronomy Gizmo" displays. Over 30 telescope and equipment dealers and manufacturers show and sell their stuff and there are many "show special" discount prices. There are also presentations by famous astronomers. This event has grown very large and is now two days long. KAS Members carpool/caravan to this one, some of us stay overnight in a local motel, and we have won more than our share of the very valuable door prizes.

Stellafane Telescope Makers Convention

Dates: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, August 5 - 8, 2010

Location: Springfield, Vermont

KAS Interest: The Stellafane Convention is a gathering of amateur telescope makers started in 1926 to give an opportunity to gather to show off homemade scopes and teach each other telescope making and mirror-grinding techniques. Since then it has grown into the largest, oldest, and most famous gathering of amateur astronomers in the world. While telescope making is still the primary focus, Stellafane offers an excellent opportunity to observe with amateurs from around the world under dark Vermont skies. KAS Members camp and observe together, and many KAS'ers that have moved away from the Binghamton area gather at Stellafane for a reunion. Stellafane can best be described as "Woodstock for Astronomers".

Black Forest Star Party

Dates: TBD  (Sept. timeframe)

Location: Cherry Springs State Park in Potter County, Pennsylvania.

KAS Interest: The Black Forest Star Party (BFSP) is an annual dark-sky observing event hosted by the Central Pennsylvania Observers (CPO). Cherry Springs State Park is one of the darkest sites in the state of Pennsylvania. If you are primarily interested in dark sky observing, this is the star party for you!! BFSP has become one of the most popular star parties in the North East, so if you want to go, register early!