Urbobsbel project

У петак, 20. јуна 2025. године, на Астрономској опсерваторији у Београду, одржана је радионица у оквиру пројекта „Градска опсерваторија Београда“ (Urban Observatory of Belgrade – UrbObsBel). Радионицу су отворила и обратила се присутнима три директора Астрономске опсерваторије и то: академик др Зоран Kнежевић, председник Српске академије наука и уметности (директор у периоду 2002-2014), др Гојко Ђурашевић (директор у периоду 2014-2023) и проф. др Лука Ч. Поповић (директор од 2023. године), а на самом почетку радионице руководилац пројекта др Срђан Самуровић представио је пројекат UrbObsBel. Радионица је окупила 24 учесника из академске заједнице, јавних институција и сектора иновација. У уводном делу представљени су циљеви и досадашњи резултати пројекта UrbObsBel, укључујући детекцију извора светлосног загађења, биолошке ефекте вештачког осветљења и могућности заштите природне таме. У оквиру програма представљена је и иновативна опрема – хиперспектрални сензори, термовизијске камере и TRON AI платформа. Посебан сегмент био је посвећен међународној сарадњи и заштити природне таме – кроз пројекат ADRISKY, иницијативу DarkSky Places и могућности формирања парка тамног неба на планини Рајац. Радионица је завршена пројекцијом документарног филма NVO Carpe Noctem под називом „У потрази за тамом“, у којем се међу интервјуисаним саговорницима налазе и учесници пројекта UrbObsBel, а на самом крају организована је дискусија са учесницима. Предавачи на радионици били су: др Срђан Самуровић, др Раде Павловић, др Зоран Симић, др Бранислав Ровчанин, др Драган Лукић, г. Саша Жилић, г. Никола Галиот, др Марко Прокић, г. Бранко Радан, др Дајана Бјелајац и г. Зоран Танасијевић.

Истраживање спроведено уз подршку Фонда за науку Републике Србије, бр. пројекта 6775, Urban Observatory of Belgrade - UrbObsBel.

On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 12:55, Radio Television of Serbia (Serbian public radio and TV broadcaster, RTS1) broadcast the show "Golden Apple". The episode "Zvezdarnica" ("Observatory") presented the Belgrade Astronomical Observatory, one of the oldest scientific institutions in Serbia, and in addition to the director, Prof. Dr. Luka Č. Popović, among others, Dr. Srdjan Samurović, head of the UrbObsBel project, and Dr. Branislav Rovčanin, a participant in the UrbObsBel project, appeared and presented the Urban Observatory of Belgrade project, which is funded by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia in the period 2024-2026.

U septembru 2024. godine, na Astronomskoj opservatoriji u Beogradu, snimljen je deo dokumentarnog filma o svetlosnom zagađenju, u okviru kojeg su predstavljene aktivnosti projekta Urban Observatory of Belgrade (UrbObsBel). Dokumentarni film je osmišljen i realizovan od strane Nevladine organizacije "Carpe Noctem", uz podršku Naučnog kluba u Novom Sadu (Centar za promociju nauke).

Nakon završetka snimanja i produkcije, film je 8. novembra 2024. godine premijerno prikazan u Naučnom klubu u Novom Sadu. Tokom 2025. godine planirana su dalja prikazivanja širom Republike Srbije, sa ciljem podizanja svesti o problemu svetlosnog zagađenja.

U ime projektnog tima, dr Zorica Cvetković i dr Srđan Samurović su predstavili značaj Astronomske opservatorije u Beogradu, kao i planirane aktivnosti na projektu UrbObsBel, dok je Dajana Bjelajac bila aktivno uključena u realizaciju dokumentarca.

📡✨ Ovim filmom istaknuta je važnost očuvanja noćnog neba i naučnog pristupa u istraživanju svetlosnog zagađenja.



In September 2024, a segment of a documentary film on light pollution was recorded at the Astronomical Observatory in Belgrade, showcasing the activities of the Urban Observatory of Belgrade (UrbObsBel) project. The documentary was conceptualized and produced by the Carpe Noctem NGO, with the support of the Science Club in Novi Sad (Center for Science Promotion).

After the filming and production process was completed, the film had its premiere screening on November 8, 2024, at the Science Club in Novi Sad. Throughout 2025, additional screenings are planned across various cities in Serbia, with the goal of raising awareness about the issue of light pollution.

On behalf of the project team, Zorica Cvetković and Srđan Samurović presented the significance of the Astronomical Observatory in Belgrade, as well as the planned activities within the UrbObsBel project, while Dajana Bjelajac actively contributed to the creation of the documentary.

📡✨ This film highlights the importance of preserving the night sky and the scientific approach to studying light pollution.

(СРБ) На XIV Српско-бугарској астрономској конференцији, одржаној у Врњачкој Бањи од 23. до 27. септембра 2024. године, Градску опсерваторију Београда су представили: др Зорица Цветковић, др Горан Дамљановић, др Раде Павловић и др Зоран Симић са три постера. Први постер наслова "URBAN OBSERVATORY OF BELGRADE (UrbObsBel)" је дао опис нашег пројекта Градске опсерваторије Београда тј. да у наредне три године пратимо развој града и његовог утицаја на околину преко светлосног загађења. На другом постеру "The UrbObsBelProject: Instruments and Detectors" смо приказали све инструменте и уређаје које користимо или ћемо користити како би измерили светлосно загађење на разним таласним дужинама. Чувајући и анализирајући ове податке указали би смо градским властима на могуће кораке како да смање утицај светлосног загађења на околину. На трећем постеру "QUANTIFICATION OF LIGHT POLLUTION IN URBAN REGION OF BELGRADE" приказани су резултати одређивања светлосног загађења изнад центра Београда, при чему су добијене вредности сугеришу на високе вредности, које су очекиване у урбаним подручијима.

Пројекат "Urban Observatory of Belgrade" финансиран је од стране Фонда за науку Републике Србије. hashtag hashtag hashtag

(ENG) At the XIV Serbian-Bulgarian Astronomical Conference, held in Vrnjačka Banja from September 23 to 27, 2024, the project Urban Observatory of Belgrade was presented by Dr. Zorica Cvetković, Dr. Goran Damljanović, Dr. Rade Pavlović and Dr. Zoran Simić with three posters. The first poster titled "URBAN OBSERVATORY OF BELGRADE (UrbObsBel)" gave a description of ours project of Urban Observatory of Belgrade, i.e. to follow the development of the city and its impact on environment through light pollution during the next three years. On the second poster "The UrbObsBelProject: Instruments and Detectors" we have shown all the instruments and devices that we use or will use to measure light pollution on various wavelengths. By saving and analyzing this data, we would point out to the city authorities the possible steps to reduce the impact of light pollution on the environment. On the third poster "QUANTIFICATION OF LIGHT POLLUTION IN URBAN REGION OF BELGRADE" the results of the determination of light pollution above Belgrade's center are presented, whereby the obtained values ​​suggest high values, which are expected in urban areas.

[ENG] In honor of World Space Week, Zoran Tomić, advisor to the Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation and the national coordinator of the event; Dajana Bjelajac, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Sciences in Novi Sad; and Dr. Srđan Samurović, astronomer and Scientific Advisor at the Astronomical Observatory Belgrade, appeared on the RTS Lab program. They discussed how astronomers and other enthusiasts marked World Space Week, as well as the latest research and projects in the field.

Dr. Srđan Samurović and Dr. Dajana Bjelajac represented the UrbObsBel team, presenting the most significant aspects of the project.

[SRB] Povodom Svetske nedelje svemira Zoran Tomić, savetnik ministarke nauke, tehnološkog razvoja i inovacija i nacionalnog koordinatora manifestacije, Dajana Bjelajac, docent na Prirodno-matematičkom fakultetu u Novom Sadu i doktor Srđan Samurović, astronom, naučni savetnik Astronomske opservatorije Beograd, gostovali su u RTS Lab emisiji i razgovarali o tome na koji način su astronomi i drugi entuzijasti obeležili svetsku nedelju svemira, kao i o najnovijim istraživanjima i projektima iz ove oblasti.

Dr Srđan Samurović i dr Dajana Bjelajac nastupili su ispred UrbObsBel tima i predstavili najznačanije aspekte projekta.

Пројекат "Urban Observatory of Belgrade" финансиран је од стране Фонда за науку Републике Србије.

On October 10, as part of World Space Week, the Science Club at the Center for the Promotion of Science in Belgrade hosted the panel discussion "Space and Climate Change." The event emphasized the vital role of space technologies, particularly satellite observations, in understanding climate change and creating sustainable solutions. Minister PhD Jelena Begović and World Space Week Association's Executive Director Alma Okpalefe opened the event. Key Serbian projects were presented, including the MOZAIC project by PhD Dušan Marčeta, the "Vidojevica Dark Sky Park" by PhD Dajana Bjelajac on behalf of the NGO Carpe Noctem, and the Astronomical Observatory Belgrade's solar and climate research units, introduced by Scientific Advisor PhD Srđan Samurović.
The discussion concluded with insights from the BioSense Institute's citizen science project, "Nurturing the Connection with Soil," highlighting citizen involvement in monitoring biodiversity and soil health. PhD Srđan Samurović and Dajana Bjelajac participated on behalf of UrbObsBel team and presented some of the most important aspects of the project.

"Urban Observatory of Belgrade" project funded by Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia.

Goals and ideas about our project have been published in Planeta magazine!

[23-25.09.2024.] The 9th Astronomical Camp "Jastrebac 2024" has successfully concluded. This year's event on Jastrebac was notable for offering participants a unique opportunity to acquire extensive knowledge in astronomy and related sciences. Both seasoned attendees and newcomers had the chance to immerse themselves in the universe's wonders.

A special highlight of the camp was the participation of the NGO "Carpe Noctem" and Dr. Dajana Bjelajac, who represented the UrbObsBel team. Her extensive lectures significantly raised awareness about the critical issue of light pollution, a topic that resonated deeply with many participants. Jovan Aleksić delivered a series of lectures on stellar particles, the Big Bang, and Dark Matter, providing invaluable insights into these complex subjects.

Additionally, the camp provided an opportunity for participants to learn from Marko Grozdanović, an astrophysicist at the Astronomical Observatory in Belgrade, who discussed binary and multiple star systems. Remote observations of celestial bodies through some of the largest telescopes in Serbia were another major attraction.
The event was further enriched by the visit of a special adviser from the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, Zoran Tomić, who delivered a lecture on the state of astronomy in Serbia, including future ideas and plans.
The "Jastrebac 2024" project was funded by the City of Kruševac within the framework of the Local Action Plan for Youth, with support from the Tourism Organization of Kruševac and the Center for Professional Development Kruševac.

"Urban Observatory of Belgrade" project funded by Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia.

On Sunday, August 11, 2024, from 8 PM until midnight, an event titled "Observing the Perseids at Vidojevica" took place at the Beli Kamen location.
During this event, citizens had the opportunity to observe one of the most famous and beautiful meteor showers.

This natural phenomenon is renowned for its brilliant and spectacular display in the night sky, and attendees were able to experience it firsthand. In addition to enjoying the view of the Perseids, visitors observed the night sky through telescopes, guided by experienced astronomers who shared interesting facts about stars, planets, and distant galaxies. Geographers were also present, explaining how light pollution affects the deterioration of night sky observation conditions and discussing ways to preserve and improve these conditions. The event was organized as part of the initiative to establish the "Vidojevica Dark Sky Park."

The observation of this meteor shower was organized by the non-governmental organization "Carpe Noctem," the Belgrade Astronomical Observatory, and the Astronomical Society "Alpha" from Niš, with support from the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, the City of Prokuplje, and the Center for the Promotion of Science.

Dr. Dajana Bjelajac attended the event on behalf of the URBOBSBEL team.

A workshop dedicated to light pollution, astronomical tourism, and the preservation of natural darkness in the area surrounding the Vidojevica Astronomical Station was held at the Prokuplje Cultural Center. The event aimed to provide participants with detailed information on these important topics, as well as opportunities for involvement in the establishment of a dark sky park. Zoran Tomić, a special advisor to the minister, also addressed the attendees.

During the workshop, participants were introduced to the concept of light pollution and its negative impact on human health, nature, and quality of life. Simple methods for assessing the level of light pollution in one's immediate surroundings were presented, along with practical steps individuals can take to reduce this issue. A significant portion of the workshop focused on the importance of preserving naturally dark areas and the ways to protect them, which is crucial for improving the environment.

Additionally, participants gained insight into the work of the Belgrade Astronomical Observatory and the significance of the Vidojevica Astronomical Station, with an emphasis on the development of astronomical tourism. It was highlighted that astronomical tourism can be a significant factor in enhancing the quality of life in rural and sparsely populated areas and can have a positive impact on the local economy.

The final segment of the workshop covered the importance of effective science promotion and communication. Participants learned how science promotion can yield significant results and raise awareness of scientific topics among a broader audience.

The workshop was led by Assistant Professor Dr. Dajana Bjelajac from the Faculty of Sciences in Novi Sad, Research Associate Dr. Milan Stojanović from the Belgrade Astronomical Observatory, and Aleksa Vasić, an advisor from the Center for the Promotion of Science. Dr. Dajana Bjelajac also spoke on behalf of the URBOBSBEL team.