General disclaimer
The Royal Observatory of Belgium (hereinafter “ROB”) uses the best technical standards and makes every possible effort to ensure that the provided information is complete, accurate and up-to-date.
If there would be any inaccuracies or errors in the provided information, the users are requested to inform the responsible person for this matter by e-mail info@observatory.be or by post to the Royal Observatory of Belgium, Department of Scientific Information, Ringlaan 3, 1180 Brussels.
The ROB declines all responsibility for any and all inaccuracies or other errors in the provided information. Neither the ROB nor any other party involved in creating, producing or providing the information shall be liable for any direct, incidental, consequential, indirect or punitive damages arising out of users’ access to, or use of, or inability to access or make use of the provided information.
Concerning the communication of times
The sunrise (sunset) is the moment when the upper edge of the sun touches the horizon, taking into account the effect of refraction.
The civil twilight starts (ends) when the centre of the sun is 6 ° below the true horizon. From that moment on it becomes possible (impossible) before sunrise (after) sunset for someone to read an ordinary printed text in clear weather and in the open air and with his back to the point of sunrise (sunset) turned.
The visibility depends on the local meteorological and topographical conditions, and eventual presence of moon light.
Concerning interpretation/explanation of observation
An explanation can never be considered as certainty, but should be considered as the most likely explanation.
Every explanation is based on the information provided by the questioner, such as time of observation, location of the observer, location of the observed, brightness, description …
These elements are so crucial in the search for the explanation that the slightest deviation in the communicated data may already lead to a completely different explanation.
When searching for an explanation, the ROB also considers in space and time similar/comparable observations. The explanation may therefore vary according to the presence or absence of similar/comparable observations.
The ROB aims to always find an explanation, but depends largely on the completeness and accuracy of the question. If the questioner is not clear enough about his observation, it will be impossible for the ROB to find an explanation.
Concerning religious and philosophical questions
The ROB restricts itself to the mere communication of the positions of the heavenly bodies and refrains itself from any religious or philosophical interpretations.
Concerning solar physics and space weather
The Solar Physics and Space Weather Service ensures the monitoring of solar activity that can have an influence on earth. The Service can in no way be held responsible for any damage caused by space weather that may or may not be predicted.
Concerning seismology
The Seismological Service studies inter alia earthquakes. Predicting earthquakes is in the current state of science still not possible.