On Saturday, May 10, 2025, as part of the Astronomy and Space Club, a visit was made to the area of Thiseio, to the National Observatory of Athens.
At the facilities of the oldest Research Institution in the country, located on the Hill of the Nymphs, 17 students from the 1st and 2nd grades of Evangeliki Model High School of Smyrna (members of the Club as well as additional participants) gathered in the evening for a guided tour by a member of the Institution’s Scientific Staff. The tour included:
a) Astronomical observation of the Moon using a portable telescope (the dome of the Doridis telescope is currently not accessible due to waterproofing issues),
b) Guided tour and information at the site where an accurate replica of the Antikythera Mechanism is installed,
c) Information about the precise method of time determination used in the previous century, along with the history of the purpose behind the research center’s establishment,
d) Tour of the remaining areas of the center with the old telescopes and a visit to the Hill of Pnyx for viewing the illuminated Acropolis.
The nighttime activity concluded with a walk along the cobbled streets of Thiseio and a return to the Thiseio electric railway station, where the excursion had begun.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the staff of the Observatory in Thiseio for their warm hospitality and informative tour.
The accompanying teachers,
Georgios Katsinis and Ioannis Vamvakas
