Kopernik Space Center
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The Kopernik Space Education Center is an observatory in Vestal, New York, where children receive an education about astronomy and science.
Following the 500th anniversary of the famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (called Mikolaj Kopernik in Polish) in 1973, it was build by the Kopernik Polish Cultural Society and opened to the public in June of 1974.
The state-of-the-art observatory boasts three large telescopes, including a 6" Astrophysics Refractor, 14" Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain, and a 20" Ritchey-Chretien telescope. This impressive observatory, coupled with numerous smaller telescopes and educational facilities, make Kopernik one of the best public observatories in the Northeastern United States. It has a pool of students called the Kopernik Talent Search that take classes on Friday nights and Saturdays. During the week local schools have field trips, where students can safely observe the sun and see planets in the daytime. Kopernik also has a large summer program that includes one and two week residential institutes for middle school and high school students... which are amazing
Roberson, a local museum who provides funding for Kopernik, is seriously considering cutting major funding and programs. However, the Kopernik Polish Cultural Society has stepped up and formed the Save Kopernik Task-Force which is currently pursuing a separation from Roberson Museum and Science Center.
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