Europlanetarium Genk

The Europlanetarium Genk is a people's observatory and planetarium in Genk, Belgium.

Lode Vanhoutte from Genk started the Young Researchers for Genk following the moon landing in 1969. They did popular scientific work, many subjects were treated but astronomy turned out to be the most interesting one and they found a home base with the Association For Astronomy (AFA). The observatories of Grimbergen and Hove were already operating for many years at that time. The AFA and especially Armand Pien (former television weatherman) suggested to expand a full people’s observatory in every Flemish province. Some people thought to place the third Flemish people’s observatory in Genk. At first there would come a small ground floor observatory, but the plans got bigger and bigger constantly.

The promotion of the people’s observatory started in 1977. The idea of a small observatory was then converted into a more large-scale plan with a professional style. A course of General astronomy for novices started in 1979 while a small group of members occupied themselves with the business side of the foundation of the observatory

Meanwhile the revamped plans of the observatory contained a dome building and an exhibition space. The actual dome and telescope room would be 5 m (16,40 feet) above the ground floor. This room is in contrast with the ‘classic observatories’ square with a ring beam in the ceiling that supports the dome. It was decided to build the dome oneself in order to keep the prices down and to maintain a good relationship with the municipality.

The finishing year would be 1983. The active members of the observatory finished beside the self built dome also a large part of the interior design. The eventual opening was in 1984.

The geological garden Georama was officially occupied on 9 July 1988, with this a special valuable link was added to the chain of attractive elements that makes this colourful municipality to the attraction of Limburg par excellence. Georama is truly a unique and informative scheme. A scientific image of 570 million years geological history is reproduced here in an utmost pleasant style and this in such a way that it can captivate and appeal to both the specialist, the student or the passer-by.

The idea to adjoin a planetarium to the existing people’s observatory occurred in view of the precarious economical problems of the mine area and the need to expand a sustainable tourist infrastructure for Genk. The extension of a planetarium in Genk offered after all the possibility to attract visitors form the entire Euregion and to give the recreation area Kattevennen the appearance it intended and deserved. The exceeded tourist character of the planetarium project for the region is part of the conversion of the eastern mine area.

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