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Programs
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Winter Star Party – Kopernik’s 553rd Birthday!
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United StatesHybrid ProgramPublic ProgramsCome to Kopernik and join us for our annual winter Star Party! A star party is a gathering of amateur astronomers and the public to observing the sky. Kopernik’s annual Winter Star Party tradition continues this year and we’ll be celebrating Mikołaj Kopernik’s 553rd Birthday (February 19, 1473) with cake. This is a family-friendly event Read More ...
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Spring Skies – Night Sky Observing This Season
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United StatesJenny Cartie, Kopernik Technology ManagerHybrid ProgramPublic ProgramsThe Spring equinox occurs at 10:46 AM on March 20. Now that we are officially entering Springtime, learn how to identify constellations and planets in the spring sky, and how to spot the International Space Station. Free star maps will be provided. If you have your own telescope, bring it with you and a Kopernik Read More ...
$4 – $6 -
Friendly Neighborhood Engineers Helping NASA Back to the Moon
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United StatesRobert McLaren, Scott Butler – Lockheed Martin OwegoHybrid ProgramPublic ProgramsThe Southern Tier has a long history of support for the space program. Engineers at Owego’s Lockheed Martin are contributing to the Artemis 2 mission to the moon. Come learn about NASA’s latest mission to return humans to the Moon and how local engineers are making that happen.
$4 – $6 -
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Canceled Casual Evening of Night Sky Observing
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United StatesPublic ProgramsDue to the anticipated sky conditions, Kopernik Observatory will not be open on Friday, April 3 for an evening of Night Sky Observing. We will be open on Friday, April 10, for our next Friday Night program: Deepfakes, AI, and the Future of Trust: How Can We Tell What’s Real?
$4 – $6 -
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RocketFest 2026 – Registration Required
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United StatesThis event requires registration (see link below). RocketFest 2026 is a GO! Pick a launch time, choose a skill level, pickup your rocket kit, build it at home, and return to Kopernik on May 30 to launch it high in the sky!
$30 – $50 -
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Summer Skies – Night Sky Observing This Season
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United StatesJenny Cartie, Kopernik Technology ManagerHybrid ProgramPublic ProgramsThe summer solstice occurs June 21 at 4:24am! Now that we are about to enter summer, discover what will be up in the sky this season. Learn how to identify constellations and planets in the summer sky, and how to spot the International Space Station. Free star maps will be provided. If you have your Read More ...
$4 – $6 -
From Rooftops to Space: The New Era of Solar Cells
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United StatesTara P. Dhakal, PhD Professor, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Binghamton UniversityHybrid ProgramPublic ProgramsSolar cells have evolved from traditional silicon panels on rooftops to new technologies like lightweight and flexible perovskite solar cells. This talk will explain how solar cells turn sunlight into electricity and explore how advances in materials and manufacturing are making solar energy more powerful, affordable, and useful in applications ranging from homes to space Read More ...
$4 – $6 -
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Great Telescope Dust-off
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United StatesKopernik StaffPublic ProgramsIs there a telescope collecting dust in a corner of your basement, garage, or attic? Dig it out and bring it up to Kopernik! Kopernik experts will assess its condition and show you how to set it up and use it. There is always a lot to see in the sky. Let Kopernik help you Read More ...
$4 – $6 -
The Sun: Our Eruptive Neighbor
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United StatesKatelyn Sonnen, APS Graduate Student, University of Colorado-BoulderHybrid ProgramPublic ProgramsThe Sun is fundamental for our existence on Earth, but it is far from a quiet fixture in the sky. Come learn about the Sun's eruptive activity, from solar flares to coronal mass ejections, and discover the results of such powerful events, including beautiful auroral displays that light up our night skies.
$4 – $6 -
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Comets and Meteors – Perseid Meteor Shower Preview
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United StatesJenny Cartie, Kopernik Technology ManagerHybrid ProgramPublic ProgramsLearn about meteor showers and comets, and how to view them. Preview the Perseid Meteor shower. See images of famous comets and meteor showers and learn about collisions that could devastate the world. Touch a meteorite and see a comet made right in front of your eyes.
$4 – $6 -
Canceled Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing I – CLEAR ONLY
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United StatesKopernik StaffPublic ProgramsThe Perseid Meteor Shower is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour! Produced by the Swift-Tuttle comet, these meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and head up to Kopernik’s dark skies for great viewing, especially after midnight. Visit www.kopernik.org Read More ...
$4 – $6 -
Canceled Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing II – CLEAR ONLY
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United StatesKopernik StaffPublic ProgramsThe Perseid Meteor Shower is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour! Produced by the Swift-Tuttle comet, these meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and head up to Kopernik’s dark skies for great viewing, especially after midnight. Visit www.kopernik.org Read More ...
$4 – $6