Stavanger Astronomical Society Observatory

SunnyDay12 (Atlas Obscura User)

The Stavanger Astronomical Society was founded in 1969, making it one of the oldest groups of its kind in Norway. In 1977, the society built their own observatory. That same year, with great pride, they brought home a Dobsoniann telescope. Annie, as they call her, is one of the largest amateur telescopes in Norway, with a mirror with a diameter of 18 inches.

Today, the observatory is home to several telescopes, including a 14-inch Shmitt Cassagrain. The equipment is equatorially mounted, meaning it automatically compensates for the Earth’s rotation and follows objects’ gradual movement.

On Wednesday nights, the public is invited to peer through the society’s telescopes and into the wonder of the night sky.

The area is also home to an astronomy-themed playground, for daytime space explorers.

Know Before You Go

Stavanger Astronomical Society meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. in the cafe building just next to the observatory. It is open to the public. Weather permitting, you can look through the telescopes and into the night sky.

Lectures are temporarily paused and will resume in August 2024.