Change is in the air for the Copernicus Public Observatory (Volkssterrenwacht Copernicus). After nearly 25 years at our trusted spot in the dunes near Overveen, we must find a new home.
The lease for our current location in the dunes near Overveen expires on January 1, 2029. The site is being redeveloped by water company PWN, which will resume drinking water production there starting in 2035. While research was conducted to see if the observatory could remain on-site, it unfortunately did not fit into the future plans.
This gives us just over 2.5 years to realize a brand-new observatory. It is a major undertaking for an organization that runs entirely on volunteers.
The Search for a Dark Spot
An observatory needs a location where it is still truly dark at night, free from urban light pollution. The only sufficiently dark area in the region is along the Zeeweg between Overveen and Bloemendaal aan Zee—which is exactly where we are currently located.
Therefore, we are in talks to see if we can transition to the grounds of the Kennemerduinen Visitor Center (Bezoekerscentrum Kennemerduinen), located just across the Zeeweg from our current site. PWN is supporting us in these discussions to explore whether we can rebuild our observatory here.
What’s Next?
As of right now, no final location has been officially secured. Before we can begin construction, we must navigate a complex permitting process, followed by a fundraising round.
Our Outlook is Bright Despite the upcoming move, the observatory is in excellent health. With exceptionally high and growing visitor numbers, a large group of young volunteers, and a solid financial foundation, Copernicus is in a strong position. If any observatory can pull this off, it's us.
