On the weekend of September 26 and 27, 2026, the Royal Observatory of Belgium (ORB) opened its doors to the public to celebrate 200 years of scientific commitment. This festive, sunny event attracted between 8,000 and 9,000 enthusiastic visitors to Uccle.
The National Geographic Institute (IGN), also celebrating its 50th anniversary, was present with an informative stand and captivating presentations. Visitors learned about the history, mission, and current projects of the IGN.
The IGN and the ORB have been collaborating closely for many years, providing precise references for location and time, which are essential for spatial planning, time synchronization, and sustainable development. They jointly manage the central office of the EUREF permanent GNSS network and are recognized as partners of the UN-GGCE (United Nations Global Geodetic Centre of Excellence).
To mark their anniversaries, the Royal Belgian Mint issued a joint 2-euro commemorative coin, unveiled on September 25. This is the first time a commemorative coin honors two different organizations, paying tribute to their societal importance and scientific contributions to Belgium.
The IGN also makes a range of online resources available to the general public.
