Experiential Astronomy Learning

Hosts a monthly lecture series with in-person and online access, featuring experts from NASA, academic institutions, and observatories on topics in astronomy and space science. Over 50 recorded lectures are archived online for public access.

Produces and maintains two free web-based educational tools: a Constellation Guide covering all 88 constellations and a Deep-Sky Object Guide featuring 219 galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, supporting self-directed public learning in observational astronomy.

Organizes public events such as International Observe the Moon Night and cultural presentations by Indigenous knowledge keepers, including Seneca storyteller Ja:no’s Bowen, to share Haudenosaunee star legends and promote inclusive science engagement.

Hosts weekly open observatory sessions every Wednesday at 7:30 PM, and selected Saturdays, offering free public access to large-aperture telescopes for stargazing and celestial observation. Indoor presentations and tours are provided during cloudy weather.

Partners with public libraries across Chautauqua County, NY, and into Pennsylvania to place telescopes in libraries for free borrowing with a library card, increasing community access to observational equipment and promoting science education.

Hosts educational visits for school groups, scouts, and civic organizations at the observatory, offering scheduled tours, telescope viewing, and interactive astronomy learning experiences, with reservations required for groups of six or more.

Offers a weeklong educational program for students entering grades 7–9, featuring hands-on activities such as building and using telescopes, programming rovers, launching rockets, and applying spectrometry to study the universe, with curriculum on international space cooperation.

Provides members with hands-on access to observatory facilities, training in telescope use, opportunities to borrow equipment, and participation in original astronomical observations and citizen science projects.

Conducts ongoing visual, radio, and video monitoring of meteors, meteor showers, and related phenomena, including long-term studies of annual showers like the Ursids and Quadrantids. Operates an automated radio scatter station and intensified video camera for continuous meteor activity recording, and produces meteor rate catalogs based on decades of visual observation data.

Produces weekly meteor activity outlooks and detailed forecasts for major meteor showers, including expected peak rates and conditions such as moonlight interference. Publishes annual meteor shower lists categorized by intensity and provides real-time updates on upcoming observable events.

Awards modest grants to qualified individuals developing and applying modern technology to meteor astronomy, supporting innovation in observational methods and data collection.

Operates a public reporting system for fireballs and bright meteors, collecting observer submissions, assigning identifiers to events, and maintaining a public photo and video repository of documented meteor events. The system includes documentation of bolides and fireballs captured by network observers across multiple states and international affiliates.

Offers free educational resources including downloadable posters explaining meteor terminology, detailed online guides for specific meteor showers, and viewing recommendations such as optimal observation times after midnight. Publishes articles and newsletters with practical advice for beginning and experienced observers.

Produces and distributes regular newsletters and bulletins focused on meteoric astronomy to promote research and observation. These publications serve as a communication channel for network observers and the broader amateur and professional community.

Authors, publishes, and distributes scientific monographs, meteor rate catalogs, and peer-reviewed papers based on observational data. Produces educational resources including a book on meteor observing published by Springer, and maintains an online archive of historical and scientific content, including biographies of key figures in meteor astronomy.

Co-founded and coordinates the North American Meteor Network (NAMN), which has grown into an international network with over 500 members in 36 countries. Provides observational guidance, charts, and standardized forms to amateur observers and serves as the Visual Program Coordinator to ensure data collection meets professional standards.

Conducted and published hourly meteorological observations from 1862 to 1871 as part of its scientific record-keeping activities.

Conducted historical research including the compilation of star catalogues such as the General Catalogue of 33,342 Stars and the Preliminary General Catalogue; published research on globular clusters, UBV color-magnitude diagrams, and developed a fast Fourier transform spectrometer for radio astronomy.