The Kopernik Observatory & Science Center opened in 1974, built by the Kopernik Society of Broome County to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Mikolaj Kopernik, the man known to the world as Copernicus – the “father” of modern astronomy. Since that time, hundreds of thousands of children and adults have experienced the wonders of science through the Observatory’s programs.
Located atop a 1740 foot hill in Vestal, NY, 13 miles southwest of Binghamton, the Observatory has been one of the best-sited and best equipped public observatories in the Northeast United States for over 50 years.
The Kopernik Observatory & Science Center is the first science laboratory facility in New York State designed for K-12 teachers, students and their families. Its mission is to offer hands-on investigations using advanced telescopes, computers and other tools, encouraging the discovery of the wonders of the Universe. The Observatory is also the home of the Kopernik Astronomical Society (KAS), a group of dedicated observational astronomers. Visitors to the Observatory often will find KAS volunteers helping at Kopernik programs.
Facilities
- 3 Observatory Telescopes
- Over 12 Portable Telescopes including a wheelchair-accessible telescope
- Heliostat Solar Telescope
- High-Resolution CCD camera and filter set
- Hershel Wedge & other solar filters
- Photovoltaic Array
- True Color 3D projector
- Computer Lab
- Space Science Lab
- Physics/Laser Lab
- Earth Science Lab
- Weather Station Wunderground Link
- Amateur Radio Station (K2ZRO)
- 24 Acres
- Portable Planetarium
