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Observatory & Lectures (click here) |
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Public Classes (click here) |
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Talent Search Classes (click here) |
Public Programs
$5.00 adults
$3.00 seniors/students
$16.00 family maximum.
* See special fund-raising admission fees.
- See the latest Hubble Space Telescope images and learn how to locate the International Space Station (ISS) as it flies over Broome County.
- Programs will be on various topics and will include free star maps, constellation training and space videos.
- There will be telescope tours if cloudy or magnificent viewing through our telescopes if the sky is clear.
| Friday Public Program Hours | ||
| March – November - Open Every Friday Evening, regardless of sky conditions. | ||
| March – May | Doors Open 7:30 PM | Program Begins: 8:00 PM |
| June & July | Doors Open 8:00 PM | Program Begins: 8:30 PM |
| August – November | Doors Open 7:30 PM | Program Begins: 8:00 PM |
| December – February (Program once a month) |
Doors Open 6:30 PM | Program Begins: 7:00 PM |
Observatory
& Lectures 2010
March 5 & 12
We Shot the Moon!
Prof. Andrew Telesca, NASA Solar System Ambassador
Recently, NASA sent two probes to the Moon called LRO and LCROSS. One of
these probes crashed into the Moon to see if we could find water. Get the
results of this ambitious space mission and learn what the Reconnaissance
Orbiter is doing now.
March 19 & 26
Colliding Galaxies
George Normandin, Kopernik Astronomical Society President
See what happens when galaxies collide! View images of galaxies merging
taken using Kopenik’s telescopes and learn about newly discovered features
of our own galaxy. If clear see Orion Nebula, Mars, Saturn, and the Moon.
April 2
Special Event: Natural Gas Drilling & Drinking Water
Matt Cortese, Cornell University
Natural gas extraction from the Marcellus Shale is a unique economic
opportunity for Upstate New York. If drilling practices are not properly
managed, this opportunity presents many risks, such as the risk to drinking
water quality. For this reason, drilling is subjected to public and
scientific scrutiny. An analysis of public health risks of drilling
techniques employed by energy companies, including hydraulic fracturing,
will be presented. Admission: $6.00 adults, $4.00 seniors/students
*The views of this program do not necessarily reflect the views of the
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center
April 9 & 23
Beyond Cosmos
Tish Bresee, NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador
Learn about the life cycle of stars and their relevance to our lives.
Join us in a celebration of legendary astronomer Carl Sagan as we showcase
his scientific accomplishments and his philosophy that humanity should reach
for the stars.
April 16 & 30
HAM Radio: Why It Still Matters
Drew Deskur, KA1M
In the age of Internet and cell phones, why are people still interested
in HAM Radio? There is more to HAM Radio then strange antennas on a
neighbor's roof! From emergency communication to computer networking and
talking to astronauts on the International Space Station, HAM Radio
continues to interest people worldwide. A demonstration of HAM satellite
communication will follow the presentation.
Moonlight CaféSaturday, April 24 Looking for something different to do on a Saturday night? Fly to the moon and mingle under the stars at this adults-only evening at the Kopernik Observatory. The education center is transformed into the Moonlight Café for a special event where you enjoy fresh-brewed coffee, tea, and delicious desserts and a fascinating introduction to the stars and outer space. Enjoy a lovely spring evening of spectacular planet spotting! As night falls, move to the telescopes and view a gibbous moon and Saturn. You are welcome to linger at the gazebo under the breathtaking view of the night sky with a cup of coffee, and have a heavenly evening! Register through Broome Community College |
May 7 & 14
The Sun & Solar Observing
Patrick Manley, Kopernik Astronomical Society Member
The Sun provides us with life, warmth, and summer fun! Come learn about
the features of the Sun, its cycles, and its beneficial as well as harmful
impacts on our daily lives. Learn about sunspots, prominences, solar flares,
solar eclipses, and aurora borealis. The presentation will also cover safe
ways to observe and photograph the Sun, as well as online resources, which
can be used to observe the Sun. If clear, see Venus, Mars, and Saturn.
May 21 & 28
Using Google Earth®: New Views from Space
Peter Kneupfer, Binghamton University
The confluence of satellite imagery and the power of the internet allow
one to view landscapes, cities, and geological formations. Learn tips on how
to use Google Earth® to see the wonders of our planet.
June 4
The Search for Extraterrestrial Life (Part 1)
Dr. Nick Guydosh, Kopernik Educator
How do we know life when we see it? Why do most science fiction works depict aliens as humanoids? Explore the very essence of life as revealed by current research and expand your view of what we should be looking for.
June 11:
The Search for Extraterrestrial Life (Part 2)
Dr. Nick Guydosh, Kopernik Educator
Is life on earth unique in the universe? For decades our focus was on
Mars, but what if other worlds such as the ice-covered moons Enceledus or
Europa have life? Are there Earth-like planets orbiting other stars? Is
there any hope of discovering intelligent life using methods such as the
SETI radio telescope? This talk will explore these intriguing questions and
what is currently being done to answer them.
June 18 & 25
Beginning Telescopes
Art Cacciola, Kopernik Astronomical Society Member
Learn how to buy and use your first telescope! Observatory members and
the public are encouraged to bring their telescopes to receive a lesson from
a Kopernik Astro-Society member.
July 2, 9, 16,
23, 30
Summer Stars
See the latest Hubble Space Telescope images and learn how to locate the
International Space Station (ISS) as it flies over Broome County! Weekly
program topics vary and will include free star maps, constellation training,
and space videos. There will be telescope tours and magnificent viewing
through the Observatory’s powerful telescopes if clear skies prevail.
Tuesday – Sunday,
August 10-15
Perseid Meteor Shower – CLEAR ONLY
Join us under Kopernik Observatory’s dark skies! Bring a lounge chair and
blanket and prepare to see the bright meteors of the Perseid meteor shower.
This shower is predicted to produce up to sixty meteors per hour! Call the
Observatory at (607) 748-3685 after 6PM for sky conditions.
Friday, August 13: Comets & Meteors
Attend the public program at 8:30 pm, followed by viewing the Perseid meteor
shower. Open regardless of sky conditions.
Public Classes
| Sponsored by: Family
Connects |
APRIL 6, 7, 8,
2010
During Spring Break (Tues, Wed, Thurs)
9am to 3pm
Girl Power
SpaTacular Science!
Girls in grades 3-6
Come for one or all three days!!
Throughout the series, special guest female
scientists will visit and offer presentations
on the topics of the day.
Tuesday, April 6 Session A:
Bubble & Fizz!
Girls will discover the excitement of bubbling chemical reactions throughout
this fun day! Students will make fountains of fizz using Diet Coke, Mentos
and other reactants to measure and see which one makes the biggest geyser!
In our Bubble Gum Lab, young scientists will discover how bubble gum is made
and experiment with flavors and colors to make their own!
Cost: $45/session nonmembers, $38/session members (financial aid
available according to need)
Registration Form
Wednesday, April 7 Session B:
Color Change Chemistry!
Put your gloves & goggles on and become a chemist for the day! Girls will
experiment with liquids and household elements to see colors change right
before their eyes and make a color swirl headband to take home. Participants
will also explore our colorful universe in a 3D Space Tour and young
astronomers will capture and make their own colorful space creations using
NASA software!
Cost: $45/session nonmembers, $38/session members (financial aid
available according to need)
Registration Form
Thursday, April 8 Session C:
SpaTacular Science Party!
Join us for a SpaTacular Science Party! Girls will make their own soaps,
lotions and potions to enjoy and take home. In our lotion and soap testing
lab, young scientists will test to see which soaps have the best lather and
scents. We will also learn about successful female scientists and
professionals, and discover what inspired them to follow careers in science!
Cost: $45/session nonmembers, $38/session members (financial aid
available according to need)
Registration Form
Saturday, June 12,
2010
(3 workshop times to choose from)
RocketFest 2010
Rocket Building Workshop
Kopernik Launch Control is ready to help you launch your rocket into the wild blue yonder! Rocket building workshops will run every 3 hours starting at 9 am and ending at 8pm. Our experienced staff will help you learn model rocket assembly, engine prep and how to launch your rocket. Send in your reservation to hold a place in the workshop of your choice. We will use Estes Generic level zero kits (the basic level). Workshops held rain or shine, however, launches may be delayed by weather conditions.
Session A: 9:00am to 12:00pm - launch time 11:00 am
Session B: 1:00pm to 4:00pm - launch time 3:00 pm
Session C: 5:00pm to 8:00pm - launch time 7:00 pm
(Launch rain date June 19 at 1pm)
INFO: This is a family rocket-building workshop. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
WHERE: Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, 698 Underwood Road, Vestal, NY
COST: $20 per rocket kit (includes one free admission to event)
Additional family members pay $5 per person admission at door; children 5
and under free
(no member discounts for this fundraising event)
For registration form, click here
Talent Search Classes
PEGASUS 6-8 Lunar Explorations
March 20, 2010
How did the moon form? What types of rocks are on the moon? What formed
craters and other lunar features? Using the latest images from the LCross
Spacecraft, students will learn about various lunar features. Students will
use high-definition video cameras to capture an explosive simulation of
lunar crater formation. In addition, we will learn how to read a moon map
and get a glimpse of what future lunar exploration awaits!
DATE: Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
WHERE: Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, 698 Underwood Road, Vestal, NY
COST: $40 Non-Members
$34 Kopernik Members
(Financial Assistance is available according to need. Call for information.)
NOTES: All Kopernik Talent Search Programs involve the following:
Fun, interactive experiences; Positive peer group relations; Advanced
technology;
Challenging & memorable experiences; Student centered learning; Group
problem solving
QUESTIONS: Call Kopernik Observatory at 607-748-3685 x 308
For registration form, click here
PEGASUS 9-12 Lunar Astrophotography
March 27, 2010
Want to take a picture of the moon? Come learn about the different
telescopes, equipment, and techniques used to take spectacular images of the
moon! Students will learn the necessary techniques to create images from
lunar webcam videos and will learn the basics of webcam lunar photography.
If conditions are cloudy, students will use software to create and process
lunar images. If skies are clear, students will be able to image the moon
themselves using a variety of equipment and techniques!
DATE: Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 6:00 pm– 9:00 pm
BRING: Snack and Drink
WHERE: Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, 698 Underwood Road, Vestal, NY
REDUCED COST: $40 Non-Members
$34 Kopernik Members
(Financial Assistance is available according to need. Call for information.)
NOTES: All Kopernik Talent Search Programs involve the following:
Fun, interactive experiences; Positive peer group relations; Advanced
technology;
Challenging & memorable experiences; Student centered learning; Group
problem solving
QUESTIONS: Call Kopernik Observatory at 607-748-3685 x 308
For registration form, click here
4th Grade Science Test Prep
April 9, 2010
Students will experience hands-on learning with this course in Scientific
Inquiry and Concepts. In the first part of the program, students will work
in small teams testing properties of matter such as mass, volume, weight,
and magnetism to practice for the New York State Science Practical exam.
For the second part of this program, students will prepare for the
written test by exploring the concept of forces by designing roller coasters
and erosion through using stream tables.
NYS Learning Standards MST 1, 4 & 6
DATE: Friday, April 9, 2010 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
BRING: Snack and Drink.
WHERE: Kopernik Observatory and Science Center, Underwood Road, Vestal, NY
COST: $40 Non-Members
$32 Kopernik Members
(Financial assistance is available according to need. Please call for more
information.)
NOTES: All Kopernik Talent Search Programs involve the following:
Fun, interactive experiences; Positive peer group relations; Advanced
technology;
Challenging & memorable experiences; Student centered learning; Group
problem solving
QUESTIONS: Call Kopernik Observatory at 607-748-3685 x308
For registration form, click here
Galaxy Expedition Weekend
Grades 8-12
April 16-18, 2010
You are invited to attend our annual Galaxy Expedition! The goal of this
expedition is to find, view, and sketch galaxies. Enjoy the dark, moonless
skies of Kopernik Observatory (weather permitting) as we hunt down a
multitude of galaxies and pursue numerous deep-sky objects. Experience a
Messier Marathon as we attempt to observe all of the 109 messier objects
over the course of the weekend. In addition, on Saturday morning
students will attend our “Rocket Symposium.” Students will build their very
own model rocket that will be launched later in the afternoon. All observing
activities are dependent upon on clear weather. All meals will be provided
and each student will take home their own rocket!
DATES: April 16-18, 2010
Arrive: Friday, April 16 at 6:00 PM
Depart: Sunday, April 18 at 9:00 AM
BRING: Students should bring enough clothes for three days and
some snacks. They should also bring winter clothes,
coat, hat, gloves, pillow, sleeping bag, floor cushion, lawn chair, and
necessary toiletries.
WHERE: Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, 698 Underwood Road, Vestal, NY 13850
COST: $165 Non-Members
$140 Kopernik Observatory Members
(Financial assistance is available according to need. Please call for more
information.)
QUESTIONS: Call Kopernik Observatory at (607) 748-3685 x 308 for
registration questions or Roy Williams at
(607) 748-3685 x 315 or email wwilliams@stny.rr.com for program questions.
For registration form, click here
