Public Programs

Public Programs

Doors Open at 7:30 PM | Program Starts at 8:00 PM

Exceptions – April 3 & May 22

Admission

  • Members – Free
    Become a Member
  • Adults – $6.00
  • Seniors/Students – $4.00
  • Family Maximum – $20.00
  • Group Rate (10 or more):
    Adult – $4.00
    Senior/Student – $3.00

Experiences

  • Kopernik Science Park – Closes at Dusk
  • Science Center & Telescope Tours
  • STEM Presentations
  • Laser Guided Star Tours
  • Night Sky Observing & Telescope Viewing

The Observatory is open every Friday night, March through Mid-December, regardless of sky conditions. Unless noted otherwise, every program includes a STEM Talk and access to the Observatory for night sky viewing. During the winter season, we only have public programs on selected dates. Due to the changing seasonal sunsets, the Observatory adjusts its program starting times.

Can’t make it to the presentation in-person? We’ve got you covered! Kopernik livestreams all presentation on our YouTube Channel.

Spring 2026 Programs

Doors Open at 7:30 PM | Programs Start at 8:00 PM

Exceptions – April 3 & May 22

Programs

Today

  • Science and Religion Part 4: The Pursuit of Happiness

    Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United States
    Dr. Thomas O’Brien, Professor Emeritus, Binghamton University
    Hybrid Program
    Public Programs

    Come explore: (1) the evolution of our philosophical, theological & psychological understanding of human happiness and (2) complementary, transdisciplinary, “how-to-be” attitudes and practical action steps on how to more regularly experience it. Consilience of spiritual & scientific perspectives provide leveraged power to increase both individual flourishing and societal well-being through and beyond the controllable aspects Read More …

    $4 – $6

  • AeroBing Brings Space to Binghamton

    Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United States
    Rocketry Club at Binghamton University
    Hybrid Program
    Public Programs

    AeroBing students will share how the team started, what we’re building right now, and where we’re headed next, with a look at how student-led rocketry turns ideas into real flight hardware and crafts the next generation of engineers.

    $4 – $6

  • Free-Falling: A Physics Lesson

    Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United States
    Peter Klimas
    Hybrid Program
    Public Programs

    Aristotle argued that heavier objects fall faster than lighter ones. Isn’t it true that a heavy object is pulled down harder toward the earth! Come learn about motion, speed, and acceleration. Discover inertia, gravity and Galileo’s hard balls.

    $4 – $6

  • The Evolution of Virtual Reality Part II – The Present & Future of VR

    Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United States
    Jenny Cartie, Kopernik Technology Manager
    Hybrid Program
    Public Programs

    Doors Open at 7:00 PM for VR Classroom Demos – Virtual reality (VR), as we know it today, is an emerging technology with a promising future. Modern VR headsets access our senses like no other technology, enabling experiences like: 360º and 3D video; collaborative learning; immersive gaming; and spatial productivity. Discover the state-of-the-art VR technologies Read More …

    $4 – $6

  • Southern Tier Robotics Competition Robot

    Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United States
    Southern Tier Robotics
    Hybrid Program
    Public Programs

    Get an up-close look at the latest robot designed by the Southern Tier Robotics team. Their robot performs autonomous and radio-controlled actions to accomplish a number of tasks in a multi-team competition. Students on the team will demonstrate the robot, show a video from their recent competition in Albany and Suffern NY, and answer questions Read More …

    $4 – $6

Public Program Seasonal Hours

Months

Doors Open

Public Program

March – May

7:30 PM

8:00 PM

June – July

8:00 PM

8:30 PM

August – November

7:30 PM

8:00 PM

December – February

6:30 PM

7:00 PM