Antwerp, July 8 — A new solar telescope will be officially inaugurated this Sunday at the Michiel Coignet Observatory on Zirkstraat, Antwerp, marking a significant upgrade in public astronomical outreach and coinciding with the annual Solar Viewing Day.
The inauguration comes as the observatory, founded in the 1920s by the Koninklijke Sterrenkundige Genootschap van Antwerpen (KSGA), celebrates its 100th official anniversary. With this milestone, the observatory is further cementing its historical role in the promotion of amateur astronomy in Flanders.
The new solar telescope, capable of observing solar flares and prominences, adds a powerful tool to the observatory’s collection, including its iconic 100-year-old Zeiss telescope. The latter, a refractor with a 13-centimetre lens, has been retrofitted with a modern solar filter, making it an ideal instrument to safely observe sunspots.
On Sunday, both instruments will be showcased to the public as part of the Solar Viewing Day activities. From 13:00 to 18:00, visitors will be able to observe the sun through these telescopes, weather permitting. The observatory will also be open every Saturday in July and August from 14:00 to 16:00 for continued solar observations.
In 2023, the Michiel Coignet Observatory underwent major restoration, led by Volkssterrenwacht Urania from Hove—one of the six officially recognised people’s observatories in Flanders.
With Urania’s extensive experience in science education and public outreach, hosting about 20,000 visitors annually, the collaboration is expected to ensure the observatory’s long-term vitality.
“This collaboration is a natural step forward,” said a spokesperson from Urania. “KSGA is the oldest amateur astronomy association in Flanders. By combining our resources, we can safeguard its heritage while expanding our scientific engagement.”
The strengthened partnership between Urania and KSGA also opens up new avenues for youth involvement. Urania boasts an active youth department, which it hopes to involve in future activities at the Antwerp site.
Originally established as an initiative by local astronomy enthusiasts, the Michiel Coignet Observatory has grown into a well-known public science hub in Antwerp. Named after the 16th-century mathematician and astronomer Michiel Coignet, the observatory remains a tribute to scientific curiosity and citizen science.
In addition to the observatory’s historical legacy and the modernisation of its equipment, the new solar telescope brings with it fresh opportunities for public education on solar activity, from sunspots to dramatic solar eruptions.
Residents and visitors alike are invited to attend Sunday’s inauguration and take part in the observatory’s engaging activities—an opportunity to witness the wonders of the sun and celebrate a century of stargazing history.