The following is the official announcement for AstroFest 2013 from Patrick Manley and our friends at Kopernik Astronomical Society. Kopernik always does a fantastic job hosting amateur astronomers and the general public alike on Friday evenings throughout much of the year, with their AstroFest among the high points for CNY astronomers. I highly recommend taking in all three days of events and (hopefully) observing, if for no other reason than to see what a fully-equipped and maintained astronomy club should look like!

CNYO members will be there in several capacities, including a guest lecture by CNY’s own Bob Piekiel. Also note that Barlow Bob is scheduled to host a solar session (and hopefully the skies will cooperate this year). The view through his CaK Bob-o-scope is NOT to be missed!

For more information, contact Kopernik at kas@kopernikastro.org. We all hope to see you!

AstroFest 2013 is rapidly approaching.

Kopernik AstroFest is a celebration of the night sky and amateur astronomy. The 3-day event is held annually at the Kopernik Observatory & Science Center (KOSC). Both the KOSC and the Kopernik Astronomical Society (KAS) sponsor the event. AstroFest includes speakers on a variety of topics, demonstrations, an amateur astronomy roundtable discussion, the Kopernik AstroFest Solar Star Party, and nightly observing if skies are clear. Non-fire camping is allowed on the facility grounds for an additional cost.

Kopernik Observatory sports a 20” Ritchey-Chretien OGS Telescope, Celestron C-14 SCT, and a 6” Astrophysics F/12 refractor that will be open for use in observing under clear skies. During clear daytime skies, the legendary Barlow Bob will host the Kopernik AstroFest Solar Star Party (KASSP).

If you are an amateur astronomer located in the Northeastern US, we would love to host you at Kopernik AstroFest 2013.

This year’s guest speakers will be:

Dr. Stefanie Milam – NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Astrochemistry Theory and Observation
Bob Berman – Astronomy Magazine and author of many nonfiction books.
Dr. Carolyn Porco – Space Science Institute, Cassini Mission, A Skype Interview with Q&A session
Barlow Bob – Solar Observing Enthusiast
Bob Piekiel – Telescope Optics Tuning
Dave Bishop – Astronomy Imaging Enthusiast
Dr. Damian Allis – Central New York Observers & Observing Exhibit (cnyo.org)
Patrick Manley – Meteorite Enthusiast

Dates: Friday, 10/4/2013 – Sunday, 10/6/2013

Location: Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, 698 Underwood Road, Vestal, NY 13850 (Get Directions)

Check out our AstroFest Page at kopernikastro.org/astrofest/

Check out the fantastic astronomy prizes you could win in our 2013 raffle at kopernikastro.org/2013-astrofest-raffles/.

And help us spread the word, click the image below for our AstroFest 2013 Flyer (click the image below to download the PDF)!