Observational expeditions are a key component of the educational and science outreach activities of the Municipal Cultural and Educational Centre “Planetarium with Astronomical Observatory”, Smolyan. They offer students the opportunity to observe celestial phenomena under optimal conditions. These expeditions often coincide with significant astronomical events such as meteor showers, planetary conjunctions, occultations, transits, and eclipses.
Led by Planetarium staff and astronomers from the Institute of Astronomy at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the expeditions combine hands-on telescope work with informal educational lectures, enabling participants to deepen their knowledge of the night sky through direct observation. The programme supports both formal education—complementing school curricula in astronomy and physics—and non-formal education, fostering curiosity and scientific literacy among diverse audiences.