Polaris observatory

The Polaris observatory sits in the Óbuda district of Budapest, Hungary, where it serves as the headquarters of the Hungarian Astronomical Association's public astronomy programme in the capital.

About Polaris observatory

Polaris is run by MCSE (Magyar Csillagászati Egyesület, the Hungarian Astronomical Association), a national organisation that also operates several other observatories around the country for its members. The Budapest site combines an observation deck with a small astronomy library, making it as much a community hub as a place to look through a telescope.

Telescopes & research

Rather than a research facility, Polaris is built around public engagement: it hosts regular open telescope evenings, dedicated solar observation sessions for viewing the Sun safely in daylight, and astronomy lectures for visitors of all levels. MCSE members can also use the telescopes here and at the association's other observatories nationwide.

Location & getting there

The observatory is in Óbuda, in the northern part of Budapest, Hungary, making it an easy add-on to a city visit rather than a remote dark-sky trip. Use the map and directions on this page to plan your route.

Visiting Polaris observatory

Public telescope demonstrations run on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 21:00 to 23:00, alongside occasional solar-viewing sessions and lectures. Because programmes can change with the seasons, check the MCSE website for the current schedule before you go.

See your named star from here

If you've named a star with Star Register, its exact right ascension and declination can be shared with the staff running a session, who can point the telescope at those coordinates on a clear night. Browse the naming packages or look up a star already registered in our catalogue.