Home > RecreationStargazing in the Finger LakesDespite the fact that the Finger Lakes gets more cloud cover than any place in the United States except for Seattle, Washington, there is a strong interest in the Finger Lakes in astronomy, space exploration, and star gazing. Many nights, especially the clear, cold nights of winter, are ideal for star gazing.
If you don't have your own telescope, take advantage of the three observatories listed below. To learn more about the universe, the solar systems, and the stars, planets, and other elements that make up our universe, visit the three planetariums listed below. OBSERVATORIESC.E.K. Mees ObservatoryUniversity of Rochester 6604 S. Gannett Hill Rd. Naples, NY 14512 585-374-2433 Eileen Collins ObservatorySee below Fuertes ObservatoryCornell University Cradit Farm Dr. Ithaca, NY 14853 607-255-3557 Southern Cayuga Central SchoolsSee below PLANETARIUMSCorning Community College Planetarium/Eileen Collins Observatory1 Academic Dr. Corning, NY 14830 607-962-9100 Open to the public the first and third Friday evening of every month. Shows, use of the observatory. Admission charged. The Dr. and Mrs. Herbert J. Silverman PlanetariumMilton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) 500 S. Franklin St. Syracuse, NY 13202 315-425-9068 Southern Cayuga Central Schools Atmospherium-Planetarium2384 State Rt. 34B Aurora, NY 13026 315-364-7111 This small, rural school district has a program of which it is justifiably proud. Its atmospherium-planetarium and its observatory are located on the school district's campus (campus map) and offer programs with speakers and observations when the sky is clear. Free and open to the public. Strasenburg Planetarium657 East Ave. Rochester, NY 14607 585-271-4320 ALSO OF INTERESTBiography of Astronaut Eileen CollinsCarl Sagan Planet WalkA unique, educational monument to Carl Sagan, well-known and respected resident of Ithaca, Cornell University professor of astronomy and space sciences, and director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies. Dedicated on November 8, 1997, this outdoor, terrestrial ¾-mile scale model of our solar has ten stations, representing the sun and its nine planets. (Well, it was nine planets when the Walk was built.) The Planet Walk begins with the sun at the center of the Commons in downtown Ithaca, running north to the Sciencenter 1.2 km away. Educational souvenir guidebook available. Map. Astronomy Program at the Centers for Nature EducationLearn about the stars and the planets with the help of the Centers' resident astronomer and his Celestron telescopes. This is a drop-in program for both children and adults. See the Centers' Web site for more specific program details.
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