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The Hofstra University Observatory, located on the roof of Herman A. Berliner Hall, is the primary campus facility for astronomical education and research. Originally funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, the observatory is used by students in astronomy courses to make observations of the Sun, Moon, planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies for course and lab work, and by the general public during our "Stars on Sundays" and other astronomy outreach events.
The observatory includes an array of Celestron telescopes and a specialized solar-viewing telescope, including many GPS models with automated “go-to” functionality for thousands of celestial targets. The Unistellar electronic digital telescope allows faint galaxies and nebula to be observed from light-polluted suburban skies.
Physics majors and astronomy minors can use the HERCULES camera — a research-grade, 8-megapixel CCD detector and filter wheel — for cutting-edge scientific research.
HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY Department of Physics and Astronomy presents
Stars on Sundays
GPS: 826 Huntington Pl.
Uniondale, NY 11553
Email
2025
Apr. 6, 2025, 8-10 p.m. - Cancelled due to weather
FREE out-of-this-world event
Hofstra invites kids of all ages to view the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus, star clusters, nebulae, and double stars with telescopes from the Hofstra Observatory, Berliner Hall, 4th floor, California Avenue and Huntington Place, south of Hempstead Turnpike. Program begins with a presentation about the sky in Room 117. Attendance is limited to 100 people per event.
Latest info and free registration: www.hofstra.edu/starsonsunday
GPS: 826 Huntington Pl., Uniondale, NY 11553
Email: observatory@hofstra.edu
Music and Astronomy Under the Stars
In 2025, Music and Astronomy Under the Stars is funded by the Sierra Club, Long Island Group.
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Dr. Donald Lubowich, coordinator of the Astronomy Outreach Program at Hofstra University, will give concertgoers a spectacular glimpse of the heavens. This Hofstra-sponsored program comprises videos, posters, banners, and hands-on-activities for all ages.
There will be special solar telescope observations prior to the concerts and telescope observations of the Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, multicolored double stars, star clusters, and nebulae at intermission and after the events.
Since 2009, this NASA-funded Music and Astronomy Under the Stars program has brought the stars to 75,000 music lovers at Long Island parks and to the Newport Folk, Tanglewood, and Ravinia music festivals with the assistance of local astronomy clubs. Yo-Yo-Ma and the Chicago Symphony or Boston Symphony Orchestra, the McCoy Tyner Quartet with Ravi Coltrane, Esperanza Spalding, Phish, Blood Sweat & Tears, Deep Purple, Patti Smith, Tony Orlando, and Wilco have performed at these concerts.
The Amateur Observers' Society of New York is a partner with this program. For info, visit www.aosny.org.
2025 Music and Astronomy Under the Stars Events
- Sunday, July 13, 7:00 pm, Decadia (80s and More); North Hempstead Beach Park, 175 W. Shore Rd, Port Washington, NY
- Sunday, July 27, 7:00 pm, Beginnings (A Celebration of the Music of Chicago); Morgan Memorial Park, Glen Cove, NY, 11542
- Wednesday, July 30, 7:00 pm, Best Shot (Pat Benatar Tribute); Anthony Casamento Pool & Park, West Islip, NY 11785
- Tuesday, August 5, 8:00 pm, Magical Mystery Doors (Tribute to the Beatles, Zepplin and Doors); John J. Burns Town Park, Massapequa 11758
- Friday, August 22, 8:00 pm, Wonderous Stories (Tribute to Yes, The Who, The 60’s, The 70’s); Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh, NY 11793
Outreach Program
Hofstra's Astronomy Outreach Program has brought the wonder of stargazing to hundreds of children and adults at Long Island schools, hospitals, non-for-profit groups, parks, and beaches.
Astronomy Festival on the National Mall
Saturday, September 20, 2025; 6-11 p.m.
4th to 7th Street, SW, on the Mall in front of the Air and Space Museum. Celebrate the fall equinox with Telescope Views of the Sun, Saturn, Star Clusters, and Colorful Double Stars at the Largest Astronomy Outreach Event in the USA. Featuring solar, optical, and radio telescope observations; hands-on activities, demonstrations, handouts, posters, banners, and videos. Representatives from 40 of the nation's foremost scientific institutions, organizations, and universities will present exciting demonstrations and answer questions about the latest astronomical discoveries and careers in science.
Contact the Observatory
The Observatory
Located on the roof of Herman A. Berliner Hall, at the intersection of California Avenue and Huntington Place, two blocks south of Hempstead Turnpike.