🌍 Eclipse & Shooting Stars Night at Mira Observatory
Dinner at Fenikshof • Partial Solar Eclipse • Perseid Meteor Shower 📅 Wednesday, 12 August 2026 ✨ One evening. Two extraordinary celestial events. Join Sunday Vacations for one of the most unique evenings of the year as we witness an incredible double sky show from the beautiful surroundings of Mira Observatory in Grimbergen. We'll begin the evening with a relaxed community dinner at Fenikshof, a charming Belgian restaurant located beside the historic Grimbergen Abbey. After dinner, it's just a one-minute walk to Mira Observatory, where we'll experience an 89.5% partial solar eclipse at sunset before staying for the peak night of the Perseid Meteor Shower. With elevated viewing terraces, powerful telescopes, and the observatory's lights dimmed for optimal stargazing, this promises to be an unforgettable summer evening filled with discovery, conversation, and connection. Whether you come alone or with friends, you'll be joining a welcoming international community that loves exploring unique experiences together. ⚠️To confirm your attendance and help us organize dinner seating and carpooling, please take 1 minute to fill out this short form: 📋 Google Form: https://forms.gle/R6QnLcjUtFu5rmyU9 (Once submitted, you'll receive the link to join our event WhatsApp group!) Carpooling priority will be offered to our members with active annual dues (starting at just €5/year at www.sundayvacations.com), and is organized on a first-come, first-served basis determined by your Google form submission timestamp and car availability. No carpooling availability ? You can hop on the R30 bus at 11:08 PM (8min walk away from the observatory) to Brussel De Wand, and then seamlessly catch the Collecto shared night taxi service. Operating across the Brussels-Capital Region from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Collecto is a convenient shared cab that costs just a flat €6 per ride and will drop you off directly in front of your home anywhere in Brussels. It’s a smart, affordable, and safe way to finish your trip back home if everyone heads to the connection together. For any questions, kindly WhatsApp me: +32 483 464 569 🌍 Event Type Community Event 🌟 Highlights 🌒 Watch an 89.5% partial solar eclipse at sunset ☄️ Experience the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower 🔭 Observe galaxies, star clusters and nebulae through Mira's large telescopes 🌌 Enjoy meteor watching from the observatory's elevated terrace 🍽️ Community dinner at Fenikshof, next to Grimbergen Abbey 🤝 Meet international professionals, expats and locals m📸 Great opportunities for astrophotography and night photography 🗓️ Evening Programme 18:00 – Meet at Fenikshof Restaurant Get to know everyone over a relaxed Belgian dinner before the astronomical events begin. 18:15 – 19:30 Community dinner (food and drinks paid individually). 19:35 Short walk to Mira Observatory. 20:00 – 21:00 🌒 "Night of the Eclipse" Watch the Moon gradually cover almost 90% of the Sun as it sets over the western horizon from Mira's elevated viewing platforms. 21:00 – 22:00 Free time to explore the observatory, enjoy the surroundings, and socialise. 22:00 – 01:00 ☄️ Perseids Peak Night Meteor watching from the terrace Telescope observations Deep-sky objects Summer constellations Relax under the stars with fellow adventurers Participants may leave whenever they wish during the evening. 📍 Meeting Point Fenikshof Restaurant Grimbergen Abbey The restaurant is located just a one-minute walk from Mira Observatory. A Meetup chat will be opened before the event for easy coordination. 💶 Price / Contribution Sunday Vacations Community Event Free to join Participants pay directly for: 🍽️ Dinner at Fenikshof 🔭 Mira Observatory entrance (€4 per adult) 🚗 Personal transportation ☕ Any personal expenses Children under 5 enter Mira free of charge. 🌍 Membership Everyone is welcome to join. Become part of the Sunday Vacations community on www.sundayvacations.com Explorer – starting at €5/year Voyager – starting at €50/year Ambassador – starting €150/year Membership helps us organise more unique community experiences throughout the year. 👥 Who This Is For Perfect for: Solo joiners Expats living in Belgium International professionals Nature lovers Astronomy enthusiasts Couples and friends Photography lovers Anyone curious about the night sky No astronomy experience is needed. 🎒 What to Bring Comfortable clothing A warm jacket for later in the evening Comfortable walking shoes Water Camera or binoculars (optional) Blanket or folding chair (optional) Your curiosity! ℹ️ Important Notes The event takes place outdoors. Visibility of the eclipse and meteor shower depends on weather conditions. Dinner is optional but highly recommended as it's the best opportunity to meet everyone before the observatory activities begin. Please arrive on time to avoid missing the eclipse. Respect the observatory, staff, volunteers and other visitors. ⚖️ Legal Disclaimer Sunday Vacations, operated by UJAMAA ASBL, is a community organiser and not a travel agency. Participants purchase observatory tickets, restaurant meals, transport, and any other third-party services directly from the respective providers. Activities are organised by volunteers and covered under the COCOF volunteer insurance framework. VAT not applicable – small business exemption scheme, Article 56bis Belgian VAT Code. 🌌 Join us for one of the most magical nights of 2026. A sunset eclipse. A sky full of shooting stars. Great food. Wonderful people. An evening you'll remember long after the last meteor has crossed the sky. Reserve your spot and experience the universe together with Sunday Vacations.
