Public Programs

Public Programs

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

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.

Summer 2026 Programs

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

Programs

Today

  • Eels and Mussels in the Susquehanna River

    Kopernik Observatory & Science Center 698 Underwood Rd., Vestal, NY, United States
    Wendy Skinner, Masters Student, Binghamton University
    Hybrid Program
    Public Programs

    Hatching as tiny organisms in the Sargasso Sea, eels migrate to the Susquehanna River delta where the transparent juveniles (“glass eels”) swim upriver to mature and mate before returning to the Atlantic Ocean to repeat the cycle. The eels assist freshwater mussels, which naturally purify river water, in their reproduction. The four dams on the Read More …

    $4 – $6

Public Program Seasonal Hours

Seasons

Doors Open

Public Program Starts

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