NEAF 2026 details

The Expo takes place at SUNY Rockland Community College, 145 College Road, Suffern, NY 10901. Show hours are Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Children 12 and under enter free with a parent. Students 17 and younger, or any student with a valid high school or college ID, are admitted free. NEAF focuses on astronomy, space, and telescope education with opportunities to meet an astronaut, join workshops, attend live presentations, and try the latest equipment on the show floor. For tickets and schedules, visit NEAFexpo.com. A preview of the Expo is available at NEAFexpo.com.

Worlds Largest Astronomy and Space Expo for 35 Years

NEAF has welcomed thousands of attendees year after year and is widely known for bringing together leading voices in science with the companies and makers who design the tools of discovery. The events approach is straightforward. It creates a space for learning that works for both first time visitors and seasoned observers. From solar viewing outside to detailed technical sessions indoors, the program is built to help people connect with astronomy in ways that fit their interests and experience.

NEAF 2026 Event Schedule

SATURDAY • APRIL 11
(All talk times & days are subject to change)

11:30–11:45 AM
Welcoming Remarks
Joe Rao with Vince Coulehan

12:00–1:00 PM
Kevin Schindler (Lowell Observatory)
"Robert Goddard: The Dreamer Who Launched the Space Age"

1:15–2:15 PM
Artemis Discussion
Moderated by Gerry Griffin – Apollo Flight Director

2:30–3:30 PM
David McComas (IMAP Principal Investigator)
"Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP): Energetic Neutral Atom Astronomy... and so much more!"

3:45–4:45 PM
Robert "Hoot" Gibson (NASA Space Shuttle Astronaut)
"Space Ace: A Combat Pilot's Journey from Vietnam to Beyond Earth"

5:00–6:00 PM
Don Petit (NASA Astronaut)
"Chasing Cosmic Pixels"

6:15–7:45 PM
SPECIAL MOVIE PRESENTATION
IMAP: The Documentary

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SUNDAY • APRIL 12
(All talk times & days are subject to change)

12:15–1:15 PM
Ken Kremer (Journalist / Photographer / Research Scientist)
"Artemis II & New Plan Beyond – NASA Returns to the Moon!"

1:30–2:30 PM
Mike Ciannilli (NASA – Apollo Challenger Columbia Lessons Learned Program)
"Apollo, Challenger, Columbia: Legacies and Lessons Learned"

2:45–3:45 PM
Anna Fisher (NASA Astronaut)
"First Mother in Space"

4:00–5:00 PM
Michelle Thaller (NASA Astronomer, Research Scientist, TV Personality)
"Monsters at the Dawn of Time: New Observations of Black Holes and Their Role in the First Stars"

5:15–6:00 PM
Raffle Drawing

Speakers and Programs

NEAFs world class speaker lineup features internationally recognized guests who bring current spaceflight, research, and mission perspectives to the stage. Scheduled speakers include Don Pettit, veteran NASA astronaut, Michelle Thaller, astronomer and research scientist, Robert Hoot Gibson, NASA astronaut from the Space Shuttle era, Anna Fisher, NASA astronaut, Gerry Griffin, Apollo Program flight director, David McComas, IMAP principal investigator, Kevin Schindler of Lowell Observatory, and Mike Ciannilli, manager of NASAs Apollo Challenger Columbia Lessons Learned Program. These sessions are presented in a state of the art theater setting for clear viewing and sound.

Beyond the keynote talks, NEAF offers astronomy workshops, professional and amateur conferences, planetarium shows, book signings, beginner classes, daily solar observing, and live demonstrations. Educators and outreach leaders will find practical ideas to take back to classrooms and community programs. Observers who are upgrading their setups can compare solutions side by side and talk directly with experienced users and manufacturers.

Exhibits and Vendors

The 90,000 square foot showroom features more than 120 vendors from around the world and is recognized as Americas largest telescope exhibitor floor. Exhibits include refractors, reflectors, compound telescopes, mounts, tripods, equatorial systems, smart scopes, solar filters, high performance eyepieces, imaging cameras, adaptive optics, spectrographs, focusers, dew control, power systems, binoculars, meteorites, books, software, and field accessories. An astro imaging gallery showcases work from leading imagers, offering a clear look at what different gear and techniques can deliver under real sky conditions.

For families, NEAF offers childrens science programs and entertainment designed to spark curiosity. Activities can include hands on builds, a gyroball anti gravity ride, comet building demonstrations, and guided sessions that explain the basics of the night sky in practical, friendly terms. Hourly door prize drawings and raffle offerings add to the experience and provide chances to take home useful gear.

Tickets, Access, and Media

Tickets can be purchased at the door on both Saturday and Sunday or in advance at NEAFexpo.com, with single day or two day options. The venue offers convenient access from major highways and public transit serving the lower Hudson Valley and the greater New York metropolitan area. On site signage and a simple floor plan make it easy to navigate the showroom, theater, and workshop rooms. Media representatives are welcome and should present credentials at the box office to obtain access. For general questions, ticketing, and updates, visit NEAFexpo.com.

Why NEAF Matters

Astronomy connects people to the sky they see every clear night, and NEAF gives that interest a practical home. Whether it is a parent bringing a young observer to look through a solar telescope for the first time, a student considering a science career, or a hobbyist seeking the right mount for a new imaging project, the Expo brings answers and honest guidance. Exhibitors and presenters know that the best decisions are made with hands on comparisons and clear information rather than hype. NEAFs role is to bring those resources together reliably each year.

About Rockland Astronomy Club

Rockland Astronomy Club, Inc., established in 1958, is one of the East Coasts leading astronomy clubs and a nonprofit focused on education and outreach. In addition to producing NEAF, the Club organizes a prominent astro imaging conference along with lectures, workshops, star parties, planetarium shows, and youth programs throughout the year. The Northeast Astronomical Society serves as RACs fundraising entity and supports an endowment for educational outreach activities and events. NEAF continues that mission by opening doors to science learning for all ages.