Several observatories in Switzerland open their doors on Saturday on the occasion of Astronomy Day. Fans have already had the opportunity to experience some highlights this year with the northern lights, full moons and, recently, comet Tsuchinshan.
‘Interest in astronomy and astronautics remains as great as ever among the population,’ Marc Eichenberger, president of the Swiss Astronomical Society (SAS), explains to Keystone-ATS. The need to decipher observations and events in the sky is also very present.
Mr. Eichenberger has been active in the Lucerne Astronomical Society for 30 years. In good weather, an astronomy day attracts 200 to 300 visitors of all ages.
Last week’s passage of comet Tsuchinshan near Earth attracted many curious people. The Northern Lights, regular this year due to high solar activity, were another highlight. But otherwise, the astronomical sky is rather calm, emphasizes Mr. Eichenberger.
Solar eclipses
The world of professional astronomy remains fascinating thanks to the observations of space telescopes and large telescopes as well as astronautics and its research satellites. Between 2025 and 2028, several partial, annular and total solar eclipses are expected. In Europe, they will mainly be visible from Spain.
The first Swiss Astronomy Day took place on September 17, 1988. That year, the SAS celebrated its 50th anniversary. With this day, the SAS intended to bring the public closer to astronomy.
The SAS is the umbrella association of Swiss amateur astronomers. It brings together 25 observatories and four planetariums. Twenty-two observatories are not part of it.
/ATS
Swiss
