What is Space Week?

In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly created World Space Week to celebrate the advancement of space science and technology worldwide. World Space Week isn't just about astronauts or researchers doing rocket science; innovation in the space field has allowed this technology to enter our everyday lives, for example GPS.

World Space Week has been celebrated for a week in October every year since then, to commemorate two milestones in space history. Firstly, on October 4th 1957, the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched into space. Secondly, on October 10th 1967, the Outer Space Treaty (also known as the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies) was signed , which forms the basis of international space law. This year, we will celebrate Space Week in the Netherlands from the 4th to the 12th of October, so we can enjoy events during two whole weekends.

Events in Leiden

Wait a minute, events? What kind of events? During the NL Space Week, you can enter European and Dutch space research centers which are closed to the public during the rest of the year, like the European Space Agency’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESA-ESTEC), and the Space Research Organisation Netherlands (SRON), all located in Leiden or nearby in Noordwijk. You could visit astronomical observatories and planetariums, where volunteers have prepared loads of exciting activities, or even rewatch your favourite space-themed movies at the cinema. Are you ready to find out what events might be for you?

Old Observatory Open Day

Space Week kicked off in Leiden with the Old Observatory’s open day on Saturday 4th. The light laboratory, organised by the Werkgroep Leidse Sterrewacht (WLS), and the tours of the old telescopes, led by enthusiastic volunteers, continue to be a success year after year. “This time, we also have an inflatable planetarium brought in by NOVA (the Netherlands Research School for Astronomy) and the Jongeren Werkgroep Sterrenkunde (a national Astronomy association for young people, JWG) organises an Arts and Crafts workshop”, says Sanne van Beek, an astronomy student at Leiden University and organiser of this year’s open day.

If you weren't able to attend the event and are interested in learning more about the history of the oldest operating university observatory in the world, tours to see the telescopes are still available year-round. Now that the days are drawing in, it is easier to observe the night sky. “We usually have more people interested in coming for the tours in the winter time”, says Sanne, “this is because they can bring their children, as it gets dark early”. Additionally, the Plants and Planets exhibition remains open to visitors, a collaboration between the Old Observatory and the Hortus Botanicus featuring a dynamic fusion of science, nature and art..

Spaced-themed films

With the Leiden International Film Festival (LIFF) about to kick off its newest edition with dozens of films, we couldn't miss space-themed movies. "U Are the Universe" is the story of a Ukrainian astronaut who believes he's the last human being left after the Earth explodes. That is, until he receives a message from a space station on Saturn. "Space Cadet" is a charming animated film in which a robot and a girl must separate when she goes on a space mission.

At the Trianon cinema, you can enjoy "U Are the Universe" on Friday 10th from 18:45 to 20:15, and "Space Cadet” on Saturday 11th from 13:45 to 15:10. Don't worry if you can't make it to these dates - as part of LIFF, both films will be screened again after Space Week ends.

SRON Open Day

On Saturday 11th October, SRON will open its doors to visitors at Leiden Bio Science Park from 11:00 to 16:00. SRON has a large collection of satellite and telescope models, as well as a mobile planetarium, with shows lasting about half an hour. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office.

If you're looking for a more hands-on experience, you can join the search for greenhouse gases with their molecular glasses, try welding a satellite, or venture into the cryogenic laboratory. Rumor has it that they'll be making ice cream at temperatures close to absolute zero - don't forget to order a chocolate cone at -273°C!

You can check out the full SRON program here.

Outside of Leiden

Of course, Space Week will continue throughout the country. Observatories, planetariums, films, and conferences await you with special activities around every corner. If you don't want to travel too far, you can try some events in Noordwijk. In addition to the Museum Space Expo, the largest space museum in the Netherlands, you might be among the lucky ones who can visit ESA’s ESTEC, where the doors of the European Space Agency's largest headquarters will be open next weekend.

We hope this week brings you curiosity and excitement about the astronomical exploration happening in our corner of the universe, here in Leiden and beyond...