Bill Text: NY K01028 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Assembly Resolution 1028

Introduced

Bill Title: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Kopernik Observatory & Science Center of Vestal, New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-03-26 - adopted [K01028 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-K01028-Introduced.html


Assembly Resolution No. 1028

BY: M. of A. Lupardo

        COMMEMORATING  the  50th  Anniversary  of Kopernik
        Observatory & Science Center of Vestal, New York

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
businesses who work to enrich the lives of the citizens of the State  of
New York through its exceptional cultural, educational, and recreational
institutions; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commemorate  the  50th  Anniversary  of  Kopernik  Observatory & Science
Center of Vestal, New York; and

  WHEREAS, The Kopernik Observatory & Science Center opened  in  1974,
and  was  built  by the Kopernik Society of Broome County to commemorate
the 500th anniversary of the birth of Mikolaj Kopernik, the man known to
the world as Copernicus - the "father" of modern astronomy; and

  WHEREAS, The Kopernik Observatory &  Science  Center  is  the  first
science  laboratory  facility  in  New  York  State  designed  for  K-12
teachers, students, and their families; its mission is to offer hands-on
investigations using advanced telescopes, computers,  and  other  tools,
encouraging the discovery of the wonders of the universe; and

  WHEREAS,  Located  atop  a  1,740-foot  hill in Vestal, NY, 13 miles
southwest of Binghamton, the Kopernik Observatory & Science  Center  has
grown  from  a  humble  start,  owning  two telescope domes and a single
classroom,  to  now  being  the  most-cited  and  best-equipped   public
observatory in the Northeast United States for nearly 50 years; and

  WHEREAS,  The  facilities  and  resources  available to the Kopernik
Observatory & Science Center include: observatory  telescopes,  over  12
portable   telescopes,  including  one  that  is  wheelchair-accessible,
Heliostat solar telescope, a high-resolution CCD camera and filter  set,
Herschel wedge and other solar filters, photovoltaic array, a true color
3D  projector, computer lab, space science lab, physics/laser lab, Earth
science lab, weather station, amateur radio station (K2ZRO), 24 acres of
land, and a portable planetarium; and

  WHEREAS, Additionally, Kopernik Science Park was oficially  unveiled
to  the  public  in  October  of  2020;  the park teaches children about
science, astronomy, and the environment through play; and

  WHEREAS, The Kopernik Observatory & Science Center is also the  home
to  the  Kopernik  Astronomical  Society  (KAS),  a  group  of dedicated
observational astronomers; visitors to the observatory often  will  find
KAS volunteers helping at Kopernik programs; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Kopernik  Observatory  &  Science  Center  has hosted
hundreds of speakers who have shared their knowledge on a  multitude  of
science and technology related topics over their impressive five decades
of  commitment  to  education;  there  have  been presentations by local

astronauts, university professors, including Nobel Prize winner, Dr.  M.
Stanley Whittingham, local engineers, scientists, and more; and

  WHEREAS,   Dedicated   to   serving   its  community,  The  Kopernik
Observatory & Science Center has  hosted  a  number  of  notable  public
events  ranging from solar and lunar eclipses to comet and meteor shower
viewings, as well as family STEM events like  its  renowned  RocketFest;
the   institution  has  even  provided  its  summer  camp  students  the
opportunity to speak directly to  astronauts  aboard  the  International
Space Station through its Ham radio station; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Kopernik  Observatory  &  Science  Center, commits to
making a real difference in the lives of young people by partnering with
local school  districts  to  provide  hands-on  STEM  investigations  to
support  and augment curriculum; it also has worked with high school and
college students as interns,  many  of  whom  have  gone  on  to  pursue
STEM-related  degrees  and  are  now  scientists, engineers, and college
professors; and

  WHEREAS, It is  with  great  pleasure  that  this  Legislative  Body
acknowledges  this  exceptional  business  and its role in improving the
quality of life in its community, fully confident that it will  continue
to  enjoy  the  sparkling  successes  it  has experienced thus far; now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commemorate  the  50th  Anniversary  of  Kopernik  Observatory & Science
Center of Vestal, New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Kopernik Observatory & Science Center.