Hundreds of fanatics, professionals and curious skywatchers will collect this weekend for the world’s largest and most spectacular astronomy and area expo.
The Northeast Astronomy Discussion board & House Expo 2026 (NEAF) takes place April 11–12 at Rockland Neighborhood School in Suffern, New York, and marks the occasion’s thirty fifth 12 months. The 2-day occasion options area talks with NASA specialists, cutting-edge tech and hands-on stargazing experiences.
More than 100 vendors and exhibitors from around the world attend NEAF, representing major manufacturers and dealers. That breadth, Siemenn noted, makes it “one of the largest trade shows and collaborative venues of its kind in the world” as well as “an enthusiast’s shopping paradise.”
“NEAF is a true ‘Forum’ of events for anyone who has gazed upward to the night sky and found a curiosity to understand the cosmos that lies beyond our own thin atmosphere,” Siemenn said. “Each year NEAF searches the globe to present an all star line up of amazing guests that are making history today. Nowhere else can you find such an exciting array of programs brought together in one place and at one time.”
The exhibit hall spans telescope makers, imaging equipment providers, astronomy clubs and space organizations, complemented by live demonstrations, solar observing, beginner telescope sessions, planetarium programming and a large raffle.
Among this year’s standout speakers is Anna Fisher, a trailblazing NASA astronaut and one of the first women to fly in space. She made history in 1984 aboard the space shuttle Discovery on mission STS-51A, helping to capture and return two malfunctioning satellites — one of the most technically challenging rescue operations ever performed in orbit. A physician as well as an astronaut, she later became the first mother to travel to space, and has played a key role in shaping NASA’s human spaceflight programs through decades of service.
Joining her is Pettit, a veteran NASA astronaut known for his long-duration missions aboard the International Space Station and his approach to science in microgravity. Pettit has spent more than a year in space across multiple missions, conducting experiments ranging from fluid physics to orbital photography, while also gaining a following for his striking images of Earth and the cosmos taken from orbit. His work blends engineering, science and creativity, offering a unique perspective on life and research in space.
Other notable speakers in this year’s lineup embrace veteran astronauts and main area science voices, equivalent to Robert Gibson (Hoot Gibson), Michelle Thaller, Ken Kremer, David McComas, Mike Ciannilli, Jim Garvin, Gerry Griffin and Kevin Schindler. The occasion shall be hosted by NEAF Talks Grasp of Ceremonies Vince Coulehan and House.com’s personal skywatching columnist Joe Rao, who will assist open the ceremony on Saturday. A full schedule of occasions is out there online.
Shows will cowl human spaceflight, astrophysics, mission operations and ongoing exploration efforts, reflecting NEAF’s long-standing concentrate on each schooling and inspiration, in response to the event program.
Main as much as the primary occasion, the Northeast Astro-Imaging Convention (NEAIC) will run April 9–10, providing workshops and talks devoted to astrophotography strategies, processing workflows and superior imaging instruments for freshmen and skilled imagers alike.
Tickets can be found upfront online or on the door, with free admission for youngsters and faculty college students with legitimate ID. One-day passes begin at $41, or $75 for each days when bought on-line, with greater costs on the door.
“Fairly merely — if area and astronomy curiosity you, you then don’t wish to miss NEAF,” Siemenn mentioned.
