Kopernik Observatory & Science Center
Welcome to the premier observatory and science center in New York State!
What’s a planetarium, and why are some of them taking on new names?JT Towne, planetarium historian and consultant, will review the invention and development of immersive “sky theaters”, the tech and people that make them successful, and the astronomy and other types of programming trending now.
Fall is a great time to look into the night sky! Come learn the basics of astronomy and how to navigate the sky. Discover what planets and constellations are visible this fall. Learn how to locate the International Space Station as it flies over the area. The program will include free star maps, constellation training, Read More …
AstroFest is an annual Star Party at Kopernik that features extraordinary speakers and night sky observing. Join the Kopernik Astronomical Society at the 44th Annual AstroFest in 2026—stay tuned schedule announcements. Enjoy astronomy workshops, talks, exhibits, demonstrations, and solar and nighttime observing. Check out the detailed schedule of the event below! Admission:$6.00 adults$4.00 seniors/studentsGroups of 7 Read More …
The 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 …
How inaccurate does the science in a movie need to be to pull you out of the experience and ruin the whole thing? Let’s explore the balance between good storytelling and scientific accuracy. Audience participation is encouraged, so come with your personal best and worst moments in sci-fi movies to share!
The 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 …
The 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 …
Learn 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.
The 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.
Is 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 …
Fireflies, or lightning bugs, are neither flies nor bugs. They are actually in the beetle family and are beginning to appear in local fields and forests. The light they emit is a biochemical reaction that can vary from green to yellow to red. This talk will focus on the fascinating biology of fireflies, their threats, Read More …
Shipwrecks, submerged aircraft, and the vast underwater unknown havealways captivated people’s interest and sense of adventure. But, how do explorers and scientists discover, research, and protect these limited resources? In this talk, Dana Carris will introduce some of the technologies and scientific methods used by maritime archaeologists, and highlight some of these unique resources across New York.
The 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 …
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 …
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.
Drones are becoming an indispensable tool for a wide range of applications. In his talk, Dr. Nikulin will show how innovation in remote sensing and artificial intelligence creates adaptable tools that support humanitarian efforts to detect and characterize buried explosive hazards more safely and efficiently, as well as support environmental remediation by locating orphaned and Read More …