columbiaastro

The Columbia Astronomy Outreach program hosts several events per month in the Pupin building on the Columbia University campus. These events are aimed at the general public, and are very accessible to children. We are heavily involved in the International Year of Astronomy 2009, and are one of the best ways to access the night sky in New York City as we have telescopes available after our lectures to show people the most interesting things in the New York sky. On this channel we will be posting highlights of our bi-monthly talks and other things applicable to Astronomy.

History of our Observatory
The historic Rutherfurd Observatory resides on the top of Columbia University's Pupin Physics Laboratory housing the university's astronomy and physics departments. It was here in Pupin that the atom was first split in the United States on January 25, 1939 by Enrico Fermi. It was also one of the original laboratories of the Manhattan Project, the secret project to develop the first nuclear weapon during World War II. More recently, astronomical research at the observatory has been curtailed by the advent of light pollution; nevertheless, it is still one of the best places in Manhattan to view the stars.
    Among the programs offered to the public at the observatory are our semi-monthly Open Nights featuring free lectures, slideshows and guided star-gazing, as well as Family Astro, a program for parents and children.  
    Groups such as scout or school groups that are interested in organizing their own private sessions at the observatory can do so by dropping us an email. Events can be organized on a variety of dates throughout the semester. Book early as the available dates can fill up fast!

We at the observatory are happy to offer public lectures and telescope observing to the public. Approximately twice per month we hold thirty-minute lectures geared towards the layperson, followed by guided star-gazing on our roof through an assortment of telescopes. Our knowledgable volunteers offer insight and intelligent discussion of the night sky and are happy to answer your questions about astrophysics or current events in astronomy. 
   Keep in mind that our telescopes are unable to see through clouds, so observing is tentative and contingent upon clear weather (the lectures and slideshows occur rain or shine). Please check back to our website on the afternoon of an event for an update, or better yet join the email list for all outreach updates including weather upda