The sun has been making headlines more frequently. We are seeing more solar flares, the Northern Lights are reaching as far as southern France, and major eruptions are disrupting satellites.

These are all signs of high solar activity, which is also clearly visible through telescopes. Groups of dark sunspots are scattered across the surface of the sun, and loops of prominences protrude from its edges.

The 2024-2025 season is therefore dedicated to the Solar Cycle. This year, we are reaching the peak of this 11-year cycle, and we are eager to educate our audience more about the sun's fluctuation between periods of higher and lower activity, how this was discovered, and what we experience from it here on Earth.

In the month of May 2025, the observatory will be open every Saturday afternoon for the first time, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. You can safely observe the sun through our telescopes during that time.

For years, we’ve debated whether it was still worthwhile to stay open in the evenings during May, since it doesn't get dark until very late. That’s exactly why we’re trying something new—shifting more focus to the sun. This is actually the perfect time of year to observe the sun.

Now in 2025, solar activity is at its peak, meaning you can see many sunspots and solar flares. You can learn more about why this happens in our exhibit at the observatory, which will be on display until the end of May.