ASTROLAB IRIS
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AstroLAB IRIS, a strange name for a very dynamic public observatory that is particularly well equipped in terms of instrumentation. It is located in the countryside, in the Domaine de Palingbeek in Zillebeke, a few kilometres south of Ypres. The association that develops and manages the site is (in French) the Astronomical Contact Group (ACG vzw). It was founded in 1980 by astronomy enthusiasts. The attached observatory was built in the 1990s, with the aim of installing the largest amateur telescope in the Benelux, a beautiful baby over 600 mm in diameter, very efficient, particularly for observing objects with low luminosity (nebulae and galaxies). With a finalized telescope project, it remained to find the site on which to install it.... At that time, the provincial government was working on the extension of the Palingbeek Estate and consequently purchased various farms in the area.... The choice was therefore made and the observatory was able to come out of the ground. Over time, it became clear that AstroLAB IRIS had to wear a double hat, for scientific research on the one hand but also for the popularization of astronomy among the general public. Two domes, named AstroLAB I and II, were therefore built, equipped with instruments for various purposes. It is possible to come and observe the time of a public evening... The schedule of the evenings is announced on the association's website (in Dutch).
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