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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.

Launch The Breyo Observatory

Research-Grade 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. 

Halloween Eve at the Breyo Observatory, Friday 10/30

Join us for a Spooky Observing Night on Halloween Eve! 

Costumes are encouraged!

WHEN: Friday 10/30/2026, 7:00 - 8:30 PM

SIGN UP: Attendance is limited. You must sign up for a 30-min observing slot. Register here (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/halloween-eve-at-sienas-breyo-observatory-friday-1030-tickets-2003373544200?aff=website)

WHERE/WHAT: The Breyo Observatory is located on the roof of the Roger Bacon building at Siena University. The observatory houses at 27.5-inch Planewave telescope. Come join us for a fun night of observing!

WEATHER: This event will be held rain or shine.  We will have space-related indoor activities no matter what, but you will only be able to look through the telescope if the weather is clear. 

PARKING: Please park behind Foy Hall or Morrell Science Center, and make your way to Roger Bacon hall. Come to the 4th floor and head to the eastern end of the hallway (elevator is available toward the middle of each floor). You will then see the ramp up to the observatory.

 

 

Observing Tools

News

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Siena students (left to right) Taylor Conroy (Astrophysics, `27), Max Giordano (Physics, `25), Collin Hitchcock (Astrophysics, `26) and Keith Pritchett Jr (Astrophysics, `25) attended the Astronomical Society of New York meeting at Cornell University on March 29th. Keith Pritchett, Jr. was co-winner of the undergraduate poster competition!

Poster of Jupiter Rotation
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Image taken by Collin Hitchcock (Astrophysics 2026) with 10 sec exposure on cellphone during the lunar eclipse on March 14, 2025.

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Image of the Orion Nebula captured by Collin Hitchcock (Astrophysics, 2026) through the eyepiece using his cellphone.

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We had our first in-person event since the start of COVID on Reunion Weekend 2022. Following the fireworks, we hosted eyepiece observing for 4 sessions of 20 people each.

Fireworks display on Reunion Weekend 2022.
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Noah Franz, Kristina Gatto, and Ethan Jones at first Astronomy Club observing event for Fall 2022.

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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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Timelapse made by physics major Aurelien Hong.

Timelapse of Observatory Construction