Pay attention: Reservation required
During the Weekend of Science 4 & 5 October you can only enter with a reservation.
Discover the solar cycle up close
New exposition 2024 - 2025
About the observatory
In the Kennemerduinen between Haarlem and Zandvoort lies Volkssterrenwacht Copernicus, where we welcome visitors for free since 1974 to experience the universe up close. Through our telescope, you can observe the moon, planets, stars, and the sun during the day.
There's always something to do, for young and old, even when it's cloudy. We offer lectures, a changing exhibition, courses, and an astrophotography working group.
The observatory is entirely run by volunteers and is recognized as a public benefit organization (ANBI non profit).
New exposition about the Solar Cycle
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.
Agenda
Friday 4 October
20:00 - 23:00
Weekend of Science: Open night
Attention! Reservation is mandatory
Saturday 5 October
13:00 - 16:00
Weekend of Science: Sun viewing afternoon
Attention! Reservation is mandatory
Saturday 5 October
20:00 - 23:00
Weekend of Science: Extra Opening
Attention! Reservation is mandatory
Friday 11 October
20:00 - 23:00
Star viewing night
Remodeling in 2024
Vorig jaar hielden wij ons in de zomer bezig om de zaal van onze sterrenwacht te verbouwen. Na het harde werk en succes van die verbouwing werd voor dit jaar tijd gemaakt om in de zomer andere delen van de sterrenwacht aan te pakken.
We hielden ons bezig met de ingang, koepel en sluis met functionele en cosmetische verandering.
Entry Course Astronomy
Twice a year we organize an Entry Astronomy course. It starts in September or January. With this course, you will gain a good general understanding of astronomy. The course is intended for a general audience and does not require any special prior knowledge.
In this course, topics such as Sky Orientation, Origin and Life Cycle of Stars, The Birth of the Universe, and much more will be covered. Additionally, there will be two practical evenings where you will have the opportunity to observe through our telescope and learn to use a planisphere
KNVWS
Sterrenwacht Copernicus is lid van de Koninklijke Nederlandse Vereniging voor Weer- en Sterrenkunde.
