In Hortobágy one of the highlights of the month of August is the Perseids meteor shower. The shooting star observation is an excellent evening activity for the whole family. The Hortobágy Observatory Park offers the best possible vantage point as the light pollution is low and many more stars and meteors are visible.

Stargazing tours are organised at the following locations throughout Hortobágy, where amateur and qualified astronomers use laser pointers and astronomical telescopes to show the visible stars and other celestial phenomena and objects in the sky. The highlight of the evening will be the destruction of the Perseids meteors, which causes a spectacular meteor shower.
At midday, the Sun will be the star in the spotlight. Each day a special instrument, the solar telescope will be used to explore the Sun’s surface, and on Saturday, the Travelling Planetarium will give talks for all ages on the wonders of space.
Programme
- August 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th: Perseid observation, safari programme in Hortobágy Wildlife Park
- August 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th: Hortobágy: Sun observation, solar observation in front of the HNP Visitor Centre
- August 12th, 13th, 14th, Twilight wanderings in the wilderness, stargazing in Máta-puszta
- August 12th, 13th, 14th, Twilight hike, bird watching and stargazing in Hortobágy-Halasto
- August 12th, 13th, 14th, Twilight farm tour in Pusztai Zoo, sky photography
- August 12th, 13th, 14th, August Puszta pusztai hunt in the Pusztai Park.
- August 13th : Travelling Planetarium – StarMosaic at Hortobágy, screenings at HNP
By Star Train to Hármashegy – Saturday at 7 p.m.
When the sun goes down and the scorching heat is no longer hot, we take our passengers into the shady and dark, mysterious forest for a night adventure!
Come to Hármashegy on Zsuzsi the train and experience the moment of the setting sun from the train window and the cool forest air and the mysterious twilight on arrival at Hármashegy! A short easy hike through a forest among 80-year-old-oak trees, where the peeking sun disappears from the forest’s view for the day, and is replaced in the sky by the moon!
By the time we return, our astronomer György Zajácz will be waiting to explain about the lights and constellations in the sky! You can also make scientific observations with astronomical telescopes! You might even discover craters on the Moon!
All you need to do is bring a blanket and lie down on the grass to watch the shooting stars, Perseid sightings!
- Star train departure from the starting station on Ruyter street: 7:00 p.m.
- Arrival of the Star Train to Three Hills: 7:50 p.m.
- Start of forest tour: 8:00 p.m.
- Stargazer start: 9:00 p.m.
- Star train return to Debrecen: 10:30 p.m.
ATTENTION! On the Starry Night programme the train stops only at Ruyter Street, Hétvezér and Hármashegyalja stations!
Passengers can only geton/off the train at these three stops, not at the intermediate stations and stops!
Event details:
Star Train departure from the Ruyter Street departure station: 7:00 p.m.
Arrival of the Star Train to Three Peaks: 7:50 p.m.
Start of forest tour: 8:00 p.m.
Start of Starlight: 9:00 p.m.
Star train return to Debrecen: 10:30 p.m.
‼️ ATTENTION! On the Starry Night programme the train stops only at Ruyter Street, Hétvezér, and Hármashegyalja stations! Passengers can only get on/off the train at these three stops, not at the intermediate stations and stops!
During the programme the Zsuzsi Buffet is open in the House of Nature
Further information.
Programmes are weather permitting, advance booking and tickets are required!
Please bring mosquito repellent and appropriate clothing for the weather.
Minimum 10 persons, maximum 40 persons on each program tour.
Programmes daily between 2:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Evening programme starts at 7:00 p.m.
End of programme: 11:00 p.m.
Registration deadline: online ticket sales for all programmes until the end of the previous day (24.00 hrs), on the day of the event tickets can be purchased on-site only, subject to availability. No reservations will be accepted until the payment of the fees.
Tickets can be purchased online: www.jegy.hu/city/hortobagy
Tickets on site: Tourinform office Hortobágy, Vásártér – Körszín building.
Registration deadline: online ticket sales for all programmes until the end of the previous day (24.00 hrs), on the day of the event tickets can be purchased on-site only, subject to availability. No reservations will be accepted until the payment of the fees.
The programme will also be held in case of rain!
Participation is free for children under 3 years!
More details: See the organisers Facebook Page
More information:
Tel: +36 52/589-000 (except Mondays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)