Kosovo Opens Its First National Observatory And Planetarium

The first National Observatory and Planetarium of Kosovo (OPKK) opened to the public on June 20 in the village of Rashinca in time to mark the summer solstice.

The Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo (AOK) organization hopes that this will start a "new era of integration, research, and scientific research for the people of Kosovo."

Graduate student Pranvera Hyseni is studying planetary sciences and founded the AOK in 2015.

"I am extremely happy that we in Kosovo, in our observatory, now have such a powerful telescope that we will be able to observe and understand various phenomena that we never had the chance to see from the sky above Kosovo before," she said. 

The construction of the observatory, which started two years ago, was supported by a grant worth $330,000 from Kosovo's Education Ministry.

According to the AOK, the main telescope and other equipment to be used at the observatory were donated by Celestron, an American telescope company, and private donors.

Celestial bodies hang from the ceiling near one of the donated telescopes, which has the NASA logo.

Shtime's mayor, Qemajl Aliu, told local media that the center's launch is a momentous occasion for the community and a chance for young people to learn about the wonders of the cosmos.

"With this observatory and planetarium we are opening new doors for the development of science in our country. Our children and youth will have the opportunity to learn and experience the wonders of the universe up close, encouraging their love and curiosity for science," Aliu said.