Kopernik Observatory & Science Center
Welcome to the premier observatory and science center in New York State!
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 …
One of the driving forces behind vaccine hesitancy is misinformation. Understanding the what, how, why, and who of misinformation is crucial in further preventing its spread. This presentation examines just that and explores the ways in which to counter it. The interactive session opens with a brief exercise testing to see if the audience can Read More …
Registration Required World Science Day is November 10, 2026! Come celebrate with us! Science is all around us—and it’s full of surprises! Let’s celebrate the amazing world of science and discover how it helps us understand the world we live in. At Kopernik, we LOVE making science fun! Spend the morning exploring magical creatures, traveling Read More …
Registration Required Calling all young scientists! Join us for a morning of pumpkin science where we’ll investigate whether pumpkins sink or float, act out the pumpkin lifecycle with movement and music, create unique pumpkin art, and much more! Expect hands-on excitement, a story, silly songs, and tons of discovery. Wear your Halloween costume and receive Read More …
Registration Required Apples are a fruit of abundance this time of year. Did you know it is our state fruit? We will learn about the life cycle of an apple tree and use our senses to explore apples. This will be a sweet morning full of apple fun! KoperniKids is a kid-friendly approach to Science, Read More …
Representatives from BAE Systems will discuss current and future innovations in electrified solutions for heavy-duty truck and bus powertrains. A revolutionary fully electric, zero-emissions Class 7 truck will be on-site for a walk-through of BAE Systems’ 3rd generation power inverters, motors ABS software, and controls. BAE Systems is celebrating its 30th year of electrifying solutions Read More …
Looking for a fun and challenging activity to do with the family this summer? Try geocaching, a popular treasure hunt game that uses a hand-held GPS or cell phone. See how to get started in this family-friendly activity. Rules, terms, equipment, and techniques of geocaching will be explained.
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!
Before Silicon Valley, the Southern Tier was a hotbed of technological innovation. IBM, Link Simulators, Raymond Corporation and other companies have created technology that has changed the world. Explore advances of vehicles (including UEHS’s 2003 Tour de Sol National Champion), pilot trainers based on pneumatic music, navigation with gyroscopes, imaging (1880 – 1970s), and electronic Read More …
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 …
Solar 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 …
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.
This event requires registration (see link below). Kopernik’s Race to the Stars 5K road race is an annual fundraiser that started in 2018. Join us for this special 5K road race through the hills surrounding the Observatory. We invite all to participate by sponsoring, donating, running, and cheering your friends and family on!
This 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!
On Saturday, April 11, from 1 pm to 4 pm, Kopernik is teaming up with Binghamton University to host a special Brain Day event. You can come up with your child or grandchild to engage in several brain-related activities, and they can learn more about the most complex part of the human body, which happens to be located between the Read More …