See Saturn during the Fall Break

As a special treat, the Round Tower will open the newly restored Observatory every evening during the autumn holiday. Come and gaze at the night sky through the large telescope while our astronomers guide you through the wonders of the universe. With a little luck, you may even spot Saturn and its rings.

At long last, the Round Tower can once again open the doors to the Observatory at the top of the tower, which has been undergoing restoration since January. At the same time, autumn has crept in and brought the darkness with it, meaning that it is once again possible to observe planets and stars.

To celebrate the reopening of the top of the Round Tower – and the chance to put your eye to the telescope and gaze out at the night sky – we will be open especially from Monday to Friday, 6–9 pm, during the autumn holiday. Weather permitting, you will, among other things, have the opportunity to see Saturn and its beautiful rings.

The Observatory is a public observatory, which means that everyone – young and old – is welcome to look through the telescope and explore the universe. The Observatory is staffed by two experienced astronomers who can tell you all about everything from stars and planets to Ole Rømer and astronomical instruments – and guide you as you put your eye to the telescope.

Visit the Exhibition about Light Echoes, Too

If you visit the Observatory the Library Hall halfway up the tower will also be open, just as it is during the day. Here, you can experience the exhibition about Ole Rømer and the great discovery of the finite speed of light, as well as the scientific exhibition Light Echoes, which explores, among other things, a light echo from Tycho Brahe’s discovery of Stella Nova, observed more than 400 years later.

If the weather does not allow us to see either Saturn and its rings of ice and rock particles or the Moon, the Observatory will still be open. Here, the astronomers will tell you more about the historic domed building, the night sky and the nearly 100-year-old telescope.

If you are not able to visit during the autumn holiday, don’t worry. The Observatory is open from October through March on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6–9 pm. Read more about opening hours and which planets may potentially be visible at different times here.

Visiting the Observatory is included in the regular admission price, and your ticket also gives you access to the rest of the Round Tower. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance. As always, children enter free of charge.

Lunar Eclipse at The Round Tower

Experience the lunar eclipse from Europe’s oldest functioning observatory building. The Astrobar is open, and our astronomers are ready to guide you as darkness falls

On September 7th, the Sun, Earth, and Moon align perfectly, resulting in a total lunar eclipse that can be observed from Denmark. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the full moon passes through Earth’s shadow. Along the way, it looks as if someone is taking larger and larger bites out of the Moon, but during the total eclipse, the Moon does not turn black—it turns red. This is why the phenomenon is also called a “Blood Moon.” The effect is caused by Earth’s atmosphere, which bends the light and mainly allows red light to pass through.

We open the observatory at 7:30 PM and invite you to engaging talks about the phenomenon, the Blood Moon, and the chance to observe the lunar eclipse through the old telescope.

Enjoy the view of the sky wrapped in a warm blanket on the viewing platform—we hope for dry weather. Refreshments will be available for purchase, as the Star Bar will be specially open this evening.

The lunar eclipse begins at 7:44 PM, and at 8:11 PM the eclipse is total. The Round Tower will remain open until 10:00 PM.

Tickets are limited, so you must purchase your ticket in advance. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door on the evening of the event.

The event will take place regardless of the weather, but in case of rain, the observatory dome cannot be opened.
The price is regular admission: 60 DKK for adults, 40 DKK for students, and free for children.