Public Talks and Observing

Every month (except for January), we host a public talk on Columbia's campus! These talks focus on an astronomy topic, are free, and are fun for all ages including kids. We'll start the night with trivia and announcements, hear from our speaker, have Q&A, and then end with a raffle of Columbia Astro merch.

If the weather is clear, we will host observing after the event.

All of our talks are livestreamed on Youtube. Past talks can also be found on our channel.

September's Public Talk + Mandatory Registration Link:

Dark Matter, Antimatter, Black Holes – Oh My!

Pupin Hall 301 Friday, September 25 at 7:00pm -- Join us in for a public talk with Prof. Chuck Hailey who will about the search for dark matter.

Everyone must register to get access to Columbia's campus. Click on the image to register by midnight September 25!

Fall 2026 Upcoming Talks

All dates are currently tentative. They will be confirmed by the end of September. The registration form will be released two weeks before each talk. Explore the calendar on the right to directly add the events to your calendar! Hope to see you there.

  • (Tentatively) October 23 at 7pm: combining music and astronomy with Prof. Kathryn Johnston
  • (Tentatively) November 13 at 7pm: exploring how galaxies move and change with grad Kiyan Tavangar
  • (Tentatively) December 11 at 7pm: taking a trip through the history of astronomy with grad Elle Roc

Observing

Pupin Hall Roof Observatory

After each talk (around an hour after the event start), we will head outside to look at objects (planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies) in our night sky if the weather is clear. We will have 1-2 telescopes on campus level (no stairs to access) and will host observing in the dome on top of Pupin, the Rutherfurd Observatory. The Rutherfurd Observatory is a historic dome and requires 2 flights of stairs to enter.

Check out the weather forecast below! We can't observe if the cloud cover is predicted to be 40% or over.

NEW YORK Morningside Heights Detailed Forecast White to dark blue means overcast to clear.

Directions to Campus

We have to abide by Columbia's guest policy. All guests (anyone without a CUID) needs to register for the public talk by the deadline. All adults will receive a QR code during the week of the event. Each adult must present that QR code and an ID to the security staff at the 116th and Broadway gates.

Minors still must be registered but will not receive a QR code or need to present an ID.

— Astronomy Outreach Team

Unless otherwise noted, all of our outreach events are held in the Pupin Physics Laboratory. Pupin (pronounced pyoo' pin) houses the Physics and Astronomy Departments in the northwest corner of Columbia University's main campus. The main entrance to the Columbia University campus is located at Broadway and 116th Street in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan.


Walking from the 116th Street-Columbia University station to Pupin Hall.