Summer Sky Telescopic Attractions

Look through the telescope at our observatory and learn more about the secrets of our solar system! In clear weather, you can observe the starry sky through the dome with a telescope accompanied by an astronomy expert lecture. During the telescopic presentation using the Balaton Observatory's 30 cm Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, you can observe the summer sky's attractions such as star clusters, planetary nebulae, double stars, and the summer sky constellations. Detailed attractions: - Albireo double star in the Cygnus constellation: one of the most spectacular double stars in the sky, with bright and colorful components, located 386 light-years away. - Messier 57 (Ring Nebula) in the Lyra constellation: a characteristic "smoke ring" shaped planetary nebula, about 1500 light-years away. - Messier 11 (Wild Duck Open Cluster) in the Scutum constellation: a spectacular, star-rich open cluster, about 6000 light-years away. - Messier 27 planetary nebula in the Vulpecula constellation: the second closest planetary nebula, about 1250 light-years away, also called the Dumbbell Nebula due to its shape. - Messier 15 globular cluster in the Pegasus constellation: one of the brightest globular clusters in the sky, about 34000 light-years away, 12 billion years old. - NGC 457 (Owl Cluster) in the Cassiopeia constellation: a spectacular open cluster, about 7900 light-years away. - Caroline's Rose (NGC 7789) open cluster in the Cassiopeia constellation: one of the most spectacular deep-sky objects in the northern sky, with several hundred stars. At the end of the presentation, from the terrace, you can get acquainted with the most characteristic summer sky constellations using a green laser pointer, along with the myths associated with the constellations. Under suitably clear and dark skies, the summer Milky Way band can also be viewed. We draw visitors' attention that the listed celestial attractions can only be shown under suitably clear, cloudless skies. In cloudy weather, the telescope is demonstrated inside the dome with distant terrestrial targets, followed by a projected image lecture on current astronomical curiosities. The entrance fee is 3,900 HUF; children under 7 years cannot be admitted. The maximum number of participants is 15. Dome rental with astronomy expert lecture for up to 15 people is 42,000 HUF. The planned dates for the presentations are multiple occasions from July 18 to August 29, 2026; details are available on the website.