Summer solstice: The biggest natural spectacle of the year awaits you!

Summer solstice: The biggest natural spectacle of the year awaits you!

There will be a true natural spectacle to marvel at in Cologne and the surrounding area in the coming days. The summer solstice is approaching on June 21, 2025, which not only marks the official start of summer, but also brings with it the longest day of the year with over 16 hours of daylight. The Olbers Planetarium in Bremen is seizing the opportunity and inviting you to a summer solstice special on the evening of June 20th between 6 and 7 p.m. Here, anyone interested can find out more about this impressive astronomy phenomenon and prepare for a very special night.

To prepare for the summer solstice, the motto is: fall asleep early at night! Because on the night in question from June 20th to 21st we can look forward to the shortest night of the year. In Lower Saxony, which also includes parts of Cologne, the sun is at its zenith at the northern tropic and reaches its highest midday level of the year. If the positive influences of the sun aren't enough for you, you can also look forward to an exclusive tour of Metalhenge on June 21st, with the artist himself and planetarium employees taking part.

Observation sites in the region

The Harz foothills and the Lüneburg Heath are excellent places to observe the natural spectacle. The reason? Their elevated elevations and low light pollution allowing clear views of the sky. Speaking of light pollution: Bremen is considered the city with the highest light pollution in Germany, which unfortunately means that only the brightest stars are visible in the sky. While up to 4,000 stars can be observed in the countryside, there are only a few dozen at most in downtown Bremen.

For a better view of the starry sky, we recommend driving to the Bremen area. Here are particularly suitable observation places:

• Hohen Berg in Richtung Syke
• Region rund um Verden
• Teufelsmoor und Worpswede nördlich von Bremen
• Kleine Orte in Richtung Bremerhaven
• Lüneburger Heide

In areas like Lilienthal and Ganderkesee, even the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxy can be seen with the naked eye. This also applies to the south of Bremen, where light pollution is lower and the view of the starry sky is significantly improved.

Sky observations in Bremen

The Olbers Planetarium is the perfect place to go for those interested in astronomy. There are regular guided tours and the opportunity to observe the moon, planets, gas nebulae and binary stars through powerful telescopes. The observatory in Lilienthal, with its telescope and science center, is another place where stargazers can get their money's worth.

Do you want to explore the sky more fully? Then it's worth taking a look lightpollutionmap.info, a valuable resource for assessing light pollution. This map shows where the lighting conditions are best and helps you find the best places for stargazing.

In the coming days, preparations for the summer solstice will be in full swing. Take the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the view of our mesmerizing night sky!

For more information about the summer solstice and sky observations, visit also AZ Online or t-online.de.