Kopernik Observatory & Science Center facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Telescopes
E. Jay Sarton Telescope	6 in (150 mm) Astro-Physics Super Planetary f/12 refractor
Broome County Telescope	14 in (360 mm) Celestron C14 f/11 Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector
Kopernik Astronomy Society Telescope	20 in (510 mm) Optical Guidance Systems f/8 Ritchey-Chretien reflector
Robert "Barlow Bob" Godfrey Solar Telescope	4 in (100 mm) f/12 Heliostat Solar refactor telescope

The Kopernik Observatory & Science Center (KOSC) is a cool place in Vestal, New York, where you can learn all about astronomy and science. It opened on June 16, 1974. It was built to celebrate the 500th birthday of a famous astronomer named Nicolaus Copernicus.

Kopernik Observatory helps people of all ages explore space and science. They use awesome telescopes, computers, and other tools. It was the first science lab in New York State made for students, teachers, and families. For almost 40 years, it has been one of the best public observatories in the Northeast United States.

History of Kopernik Observatory

How it Started

In 1973, a group called the Kopernik Polish Cultural Society of Broome County wanted to build a community observatory. They wanted to honor Nicolaus Copernicus, a famous astronomer born 500 years earlier. Their dream was for everyone in the area to see the universe up close.

Many people in the community helped by donating materials, services, and money. Construction began in the fall of 1973. Edward Nezelek, who led the building committee, finished the observatory in the spring of 1974.

The building was designed by James Kilcy. It was about 2,500 square feet and had two domes for telescopes. After it opened on June 16, 1974, the Kopernik Society gave the observatory to the people of the Southern Tier region. It was then run by the Roberson Museum and Science Center.

Growing Bigger

With lots of help from the Kopernik Society and other groups, the observatory got a big upgrade in 1992. They spent $2 million to create the Kopernik Space Education Center. The goal was to make it the first science lab in New York State for K-12 students, teachers, and families.

This expansion added a third room for a large telescope. It also included four classrooms, a space science theater, and labs for laser physics and computer imaging. Construction started in the fall of 1992. The new 8,000-square-foot building opened in June 1993.

On June 5, 1999, Kopernik celebrated its 25th birthday. Scientists, NASA officials, and students came to see how much the center had grown. It went from a local observatory to an important science education center.

Becoming Independent

Around 2005, the Kopernik Space Education Center faced some money problems. The Roberson Museum, which was running it, thought about cutting back on programs.

But the Kopernik Society and its supporters really wanted the observatory to keep going strong. They believed it was important for kids to see real telescopes and learn hands-on. Even a former NASA astronaut, Daniel W. Bursch, said it was a big difference to see things in person rather than just on a screen.

After many talks, the Kopernik Society took back ownership of the center in March 2007. The name changed to the Kopernik Observatory and Science Education Center. It then had to raise its own money to keep running.

Later, the name changed again to Kopernik Observatory & Science Center. In 2014, it celebrated its 40th anniversary. Another former NASA astronaut, Douglas H. Wheelock, was a special guest speaker.

Observatory Directors

Richard DeLuca, (1973–1975)
Richard Aguglia, (1975–1981)
Vacant (1981)
E. Jay Sarton, (1982–1996)
Carol Stowell (1996–1999)
Kristen Gordon (2006–2011)
Andrew "Drew" Deskur, (2011 (interim), 2012–present)

Programs and Services

Kopernik Observatory wants to help everyone learn about astronomy and science. They offer hands-on activities and programs using advanced telescopes and other cool tools. It's a top science lab for K-12 students, teachers, and families in New York State.

Kopernik is part of the Association of Science-Technology Centers. This means if you're a member, you might get free entry to other science centers far from home!

Public Programs for Everyone

The Observatory has public events every Friday evening. The start times change with the seasons, depending on when the sun sets. Topics include looking at stars, radio astronomy, and technology.

They also have special events throughout the year:

Winter Star Party

The annual Winter Star Party happens every January since 2006. It starts at 6 PM, no matter the weather. You can listen to speakers talk about astronomy. If the sky is clear, you can brave the cold and see the Moon, Jupiter, the Orion Nebula, and more through the big telescopes!

RocketFest

RocketFest has been held every June since 2008. You can join workshops to build your own model rocket. Staff will help you put it together, prepare the engine, and launch it! You need to reserve a spot. You can choose between standard rockets for younger kids or advanced rockets for those with more experience.

AstroFest

Kopernik AstroFest is a fun celebration of the night sky. It happens every October since 1982. This three-day event is put on by the Observatory and the Kopernik Astronomical Society. AstroFest includes talks, demonstrations, and discussions about amateur astronomy. If the sky is clear, you can observe the stars at night. You can even camp overnight at the facility!

Moonlight Café

On some Saturday evenings in the spring and fall, the main building turns into a Moonlight Café. This is an adults-only event. You can enjoy coffee, tea, and desserts. You'll also get a fascinating introduction to the stars and outer space.

School Programs and Camps

The Observatory offers many programs for students of all ages. They cover science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Classes run during the school year, on weekends, and school holidays. They can also bring programs directly to schools. These programs match what students are learning in school.

Link Summer STEM Exploration Camps

Since 1992, Kopernik has offered week-long camps for students in grades 1-12. These camps are sponsored by the Link Foundation. They offer hands-on, high-tech adventures in science, technology, engineering, and math. Students can stay at Binghamton University or come for the day.

The camps start after the July 4th weekend. Each year, the camps are designed so students can come back and learn something new.

Summer Science Day Programs

Young Scientists (grades 1 & 2)
Junior Astronomers (grades 3 & 4)
Earth Science (grades 5 & 6)
Young Engineers: (grades 2 & 3)
Junior Engineers: (grades 4 & 5)
Master Engineers: (grades 5 & 6)

Facilities and Equipment

Kopernik Observatory is a top science lab in New York State. It's designed for K-12 teachers, students, and their families. It has some of the best equipment for public observatories in the Northeast United States.

Optical Telescopes

The observatory has three main optical telescopes:

E. Jay Sarton Telescope: This is a 6-inch refractor telescope. It's in the eastern dome and is great for looking at planets. It's named after a former Observatory Director.
Broome County Telescope: This is a 14-inch reflector telescope. It was given as a gift from the people of the Southern Tier in 1987.
KAS Telescope: This is a huge 20-inch reflector telescope. It's one of the largest telescopes in New York State that the public can use! It was donated by the Kopernik Astronomical Society.

There's also the Robert "Barlow Bob" Godfrey Heliostat. This special telescope uses mirrors to reflect sunlight into a smaller telescope. It projects a 7-inch image of the sun onto a classroom wall. This lets you safely see the sun!

The observatory also has other telescopes you can use. These include Orion Newtonians, a Meade Newtonian, and several Astroscan telescopes.

Amateur Radio Station

Kopernik Observatory has its own amateur radio station, K2ZRO. You can often see it during public programs on Friday evenings. This call sign belonged to Kazimierz Deskur, one of the people who helped start the Kopernik Society and build the observatory. He was very interested in amateur radio satellites and even heard some of the first signals from Sputnik!

Location and Climate

The observatory is located on top of a 1,740-foot hill in Vestal, New York. It's about 13 miles southwest of Binghamton, New York. The area has cold, snowy winters and warm, wet summers. It's known for having many rainy and cloudy days each year.

Associated Organizations

Kopernik Astronomical Society

The Kopernik Astronomical Society (KAS) is a group of people who love looking at the stars. They meet at the Observatory. Their goal is to help people in the Binghamton area who are interested in astronomy, space, and science. They volunteer at the Observatory, help with public events, and share their knowledge. They also go on trips to dark sky parks and other places to observe the stars.

The Society meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 PM. After the meeting, they often observe the sky if it's clear.

Binghamton Amateur Radio Association

The Binghamton Amateur Radio Association, Inc. (BARA) was started way back in 1919! They have a rich history of technical achievements and community service. They hold their meetings on the third Wednesday of every month at 7 PM at the Kopernik Observatory. Everyone is welcome to join, whether they are members or not.