Onsala Space Observatory welcomes prebooked visitors. We offer guided tours for schools and other groups, and regular public events. Chalmers' visitor centre for space technology and astronomy is located right next to the telescopes at Onsala Space Observatory.
Book a guided tour
We accept booking requests from schools and other groups.
We are fully booked for August - December 2024. From November 1 we will be accepting requests for the spring term (January-June 2025).
We offer guided tours for school classes (10-30 people up to year 9, 10-50 otherwise) of all ages (though not year 1 or preschool). During December, January and February we can't host classes from year 9 or younger.
During a guided tour, you visit our telescopes, see our exhibition, and get the chance to ask questions about space and about the Earth. The program can be adapted to the needs of the class.
Guided tours take place during office hours on weekdays and last two hours. We only accept prebooked visits. To request a guided tour, use our online form.
Summer break: During July to mid-August (weeks 27-32), we do not offer guided tours.
There is no café or restaurant service at the observatory, but you are welcome to bring your own snack or lunch.
Use of mobile phones in the observatory area is not permitted. Radio signals from mobile phones can interfere with our telescopes and their measurements.
Public events
Sometimes we arrange special events for the public at the observatory, with a different program than during regular guided tours. Normally you have to book a place in advance and go with a hired bus to the observatory.
(Information about guided tours for school classes and other groups can be found under the heading Guided tours.)
Public events in 2025
In 2025 we expect to host three public events.
Friday 4 April 2025: Visit Onsala Space Observatory as part of the Gothenburg Science Festival (Vetenskapsfestivalen), theme Futures.
Sunday 25 May 2025: We will celebrate Mors dag (Mothers' Day) with bus tours from Kungsbacka and Onsala, in collaboration with Naturum Fjärås Bräcka.
September/October 2025: Sweden's Day and Night of Astronomy (Astronomins dag) is celebrated on a Saturday in September or October. We expect to organise bus tours from Kungsbacka and Onsala in collaboration with Naturum Fjärås Bräcka.
Visitor Centre
Chalmers' visitor centre for space technology and astronomy is located right next to the telescopes at Onsala Space Observatory. The result of an innovative, climate-aware building project, the centre was inaugurated on 27 September 2022. A new exhibition in the centre is taking shape, developed with local schools and other partners.