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Breyo Observatory

Breyo Observatory

Siena students and faculty can study the heavens in the College’s Breyo Observatory, which boasts the largest telescope in New York’s Capital Region.

Public Observing

We regret that all upcoming public observing events are cancelled until further notice due to concerns about COVID-19.

We plan to offer online, remote observing sessions for the public.  Please stay tuned for more information.

New 0.7-m Telescope on the roof of Roger Bacon

The main telescope, which features a 27.5-inch diameter mirror, sits atop Roger Bacon Hall. The rooftop viewing platform also has permanent mounts for five smaller telescopes.   

The observatory was funded by a grant from the Sherman Fairchild Foundation and a generous gift from John J. Breyo ’68 H’02 and his wife, Marilyn Breyo; the observatory was named in their honor. The observatory opened for use in September 2018, and was formally dedicated on November 10. 

Observing Tools

News

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Asteroid OR2 Imaged by George Hassel on 4/28/2020. Images are taken through the V filter, and each exposure is 5 seconds.

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Performance of "Silent Sky" on March 7th was a huge success! And the skies cleared for observing. Thanks to Eli Sands, CapSci, the amazing actors, including Siena's own Olivia Bullock, and photographer Sandy Spicer. Special thanks to the Siena physics majors who braved the cold to operate the telescope after the performance.

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James Agostino (`19), Kim Conger (`19), and Rose Finn at the Observatorio Astrofisico in the Canary Islands. February 2019.

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Sandy Spicer (`19) and Daniel Allspach (`21) at Kitt Peak National Observatory outside Tucson, AZ. February 2019.

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Fr. George Coyne, S.J., presents "The Dance of the Fertile Universe: A Meeting of Science and Religious Belief" at the observatory opening and dedication. November 10, 2018.

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First image captured with the new telescope! Dumbbell Nebula, August 9, 2019.

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Live feed of the Breyo Observatory, courtesy of Angelo Santabarbara.

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Timelapse made by physics major Aurelien Hong.

Timelapse of Observatory Construction