Szeged Observatory proudly presents the first English Night of the year on the 15th of March. The evening’s popular lecture will be dedicated to the first total solar eclipse in continental Europe since 1999. On August 12, 2026, the whole continent will see a partial eclipse, and totality will cover parts of Iceland, Spain and Portugal. People have been observing eclipses for millenia, and they play a role in our art, history, literature and film. We will explain how eclipses work, why they are such unique and wonderful events, and give tips on how to observe them from Hungary and from Spain.
Assuming good sky conditions, the program will continue with telescopic observations aiming to see the beauties of the night sky. In case of clouds or rain, a virtual constellation tour and meteorite show will provide a unique experience.
The planned program:
19:00 – Gate opening
19:10 – The solar eclipse and where to find it
Popular outreach talk by Gerry Williger, astronomer of University of Louisville (USA).
20:00 – Telescopic observations
In case of clear weather, we will use the observatory’s telescopes to show you the wonders of the night sky, including Jupiter, the Orion Nebula, the Pleiades, and numerous star clusters. During the observations, you will have the chance to look through the “Szegedi 50es” one of the best demonstration telescopes in the country.
In case of cloudy weather, a virtual constellation tour and a microscopic meteorite presentation will provide a unique experience.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Tickets are available on our website and — subject to remaining availability—can also be purchased at the Observatory from 7:00 PM on Friday. Please note that only cash payments are accepted on-site. For further information, you can call +36 30 839 0922 during business hours. We are also available via email and through messages sent to our Facebook page.
