As an intermediate between the Observatory and the public, the Communication and Information Service aims to communicate and promote the Observatory’s research activities and heritage, and also to provide and relay scientific information to the public.
The activities of the Communication and Information Service consist of several parts:
- Information to the public about astronomy and astronomy-related matters
- Answers to questions and inquiries from the public, the press and the authorities
- Help in all kind of outreach (exhibitions, events as the Open Doors) and public relations activities (press communications, press conferences etc.)
- Collaboration with the Planetarium, notably for the permanent exhibitions at the Heysel site
- Publication and edition of the annual report and of the Yearbook of the Royal Observatory of Belgium
- Preparation of texts for printing or of news for the web site
- Management of the archives, the museum and the library
The Communication and Information Service is currently composed of three people:
- René Oudmaijer, Head of the Service
- Hilde Langenaken (NL/EN), Communication, Information, Archives, Museum and Library
- Lê Binh San Pham (FR/EN), Communication, Information, Press releases, Social medias