An unearthly experience: see a miracle in the Bükk Astronomical Observatory!

One of the low light-polluted places in Hungary is the Bükk, which is also a region in the country with the highest average altitude. The somewhat sci-fi-sounding “International Dark Sky Association” (IDA) declared the territory of the Bükk National Park a silver-rated starry sky park in June 2017. It was at this time that the idea of creating an astronomy visitor centre in the heart of the Bükk was born. Thus, the Bükk Astronomical Observatory, one of the most modern astronomical facilities in Central Europe, is located at an altitude of 635 metres, near the village of Répáshuta, in an area known locally as the “forge”. Let’s see what specialties the visitor centre has to offer!

What is an exoplanet? How did the Solar System form and what is the structure of a meteorite crater? This and much more fascinating information is revealed in the Bükk Observatory exhibition, the central theme of which is the Sun. Walking through the exhibition Our Invigorating Sun, you can get an insight into the Solar system. You can learn about how our planetary system works, the different types of stars it contains, the life cycle of stars, and even the invisible features of the Sun – all through a series of interactive and virtual experiences. This starts at the entrance to the exhibition, where the first steps lead to a so-called holo pyramid, in which a three-dimensional image of the planets of the Solar System rotates, but also some exoplanets, i.e. planets outside the Solar system, can be seen in the glass pyramid. You can also admire the entire Milky Way on huge holographic displays. The perception of heat, visible and invisible radiation will all be covered, and there will also be a display of interesting facts on the walls about calendar systems, the changing calendar and the cult of the Sun.

Another special feature of the exhibition is the observatory’s meteorite collection, which is located in the centre of the room, where you can touch and feel the huge iron meteorite. As part of the collection on display, you can also see the largest meteorites exhibited in Hungary for certain meteorite types. As a special element, you can also take a closer look at meteorites of lunar and martian origin, whose structure can be revealed using a special microscope.

After a detailed exploration of the Solar system, the next stop is the planetarium of the observatory, where you can enjoy the current show. In the 50-seat room, the spectacle is projected onto an 8-metre-diameter dome by four simultaneous laser projectors in 4K quality. There will also be a selection of 3D films to choose from, adding to the already cosmic experience of 100 square metres above your head.

After a virtual journey among the stars, you can get a closer look at the different celestial bodies in the dome of the building, the astronomical observatory. It houses the main instrument of the facility, a 61 cm diameter astrograph, the largest in Hungary. This is actually a telescope designed specifically for astrophotography, but it can also be used for free-eye observations. To discover the Bükk Astronomical Observatory, it is worth choosing a Saturday day: on these days, you can also take part in a series of night-time activities, during which you can spy on the sky with the help of the institution’s astronomers, either through the astrograph or through the mobile telescopes set up on the terrace.

The capacity of Bükk Observatory is limited, so it is advisable to book an appointment in advance via the centre’s online platform. Tickets and more information are available at this link.

Photos: Bükk National Park Directorate/Bükk Astronomical Observatory