Long Island Planetariums Observatories Astronomy Nassau Suffolk Hamptons New York


	Vanderbilt Museum Planetarium 180 Little Neck Road Centerport, NY 11721 t 631-854-5555 w www.vanderbiltmuseum.org The Vanderbilt Planetarium is one of the largest and best equipped in the United States. A visitor can see the stars, moon, sun and planets displayed on the 60-foot dome by a sophisticated Goto projector. The Vanderbilt Planetarium opened in 1971 on the grounds of the Vanderbilt estate, and it is the largest facility of its kind on Long Island. The Planetarium's purpose is to provide visitors with information about the nighttime sky. The Planetarium's main feature is the domed, 60-foot Sky Theater. The theater's Goto star projector can display the sun, moon, stars and planets. It also recreates celestial events during our various Sky Shows. The projector can simulate the heavens at any moment in time, from the distant past to the future, as it appeared from any place on Earth. The projector can show 11,369 stars, the Milky Way and several deep sky objects. This allows Planetarium staff to recreate the visible night sky, as seen under perfect conditions. Supplementing the Sky Theater's Goto projector are dozens of slide projectors, arranged around the perimeter of the 238-seat theater. With these projectors, we can produce images of planets, real or imaginary space scenes, special effects such as space travel, exploding supernovae, and rotating galaxies anywhere on the dome. A powerful video projector is used to project moving images in the theater. These images come from our collection of laser disks and video library. Imagery from the latest NASA space missions is constantly being added to our video collections. Outside of the Sky Theater, visitors will find space-related exhibits in the Planetarium lobby. Among our displays are a meteorite, planetarium artwork and a 6-foot diameter moon globe. A current events board describes the latest upcoming celestial events. A television monitor also shows current NASA space activities. The Astronomical Society of Long Island holds its monthly observing session at the Vanderbilt Planetarium. Their observing session is on the Wednesday evening closest to the New Moon. Education programs are also offered in the Planetarium as part of the Museum's extensive school programming. For further information, click on Programs & Partners. Also be sure to check out the Planetarium gift shop, where you will find an array of astronomy books, posters, T-shirts, and other space-related items.


	Custer Institute Main Bayview Road (South of Route 25) P.O. Box 1204 Southhold, NY 11971 t 631-765-2626 w www.custerobservatory.org Established in 1927, the Custer Institute is the oldest public observatory on Long Island. Open every Saturday, dusk till midnight. Small astronomy museum with exhibits and artifacts. Sat. evening stargazing (weather permitting) with telescopes. Occasional classic films, concerts, art exhibits, lectures and planetarium shows featuring StarLab, a portable planetarium. The Custer Institute and Observatory is Long Island's oldest public observatory (est. 1927). Open to the public every Saturday evening from dusk until midnight, our staff of volunteers will give you a tour of the facilities and the night sky through our powerful telescopes. Custer has a library, museum, and gift shop. Frequent lectures, classes, concerts, art exhibits and other special events. Consider our observatory for your next meeting or theme party. The Custer Institute is a 501(c)(3) N.Y. State educational nonprofit that operates exclusively on public support (proceeds from events, dues, and small donations); it has no endowment. It is staffed by volunteers dedicated to advancing Custer's educational and research goals, and its service to the community. In addition to the reward of supporting a unique organization such as Custer, Members also enjoy the following: Email subscription to our newsletter, library privileges; discounts on classes, lectures, and other events; invitations to members-only events; voting privileges; access to the facilities; special training programs; opportunity to become an Observatory Staff Member. Annual Dues: $45 Individual; $60 Family; $25 Senior/Student; $100 Sponsor; $500 Patron; $1000 Corp. Sponsor.