About

Solar Eclipse Conference 13-15 June 2025, Leuven, Belgium

The aim of the Solar Eclipse Conference is to bring together all eclipse enthusiasts, amateur and professional, from around the world to share our common passion in an informal and enjoyable environment. Typically, the exchange of information will take place through a well-developed series of presentations by experts. In addition to the presentations, there will be ample opportunity for peer-to-peer and expert discussions during coffee breaks, at the conference dinner, or simply outside the conference during leisure time. It is an excellent opportunity to build eclipse networks.  Since its inception in 2000, with one exception, an eclipse conference has been held in a year without a central solar eclipse. 

The Solar Eclipse Conference 2025 or SEC2025 is organised by the Vereniging Voor Sterrenkunde (VVS), this is the association of amateur astronomers in Belgium (the Flemish part) and the Institute of Astronomy of the University of Leuven (KU Leuven).  

Registration

Registration can be made via this website by clicking on the "Registration" tab.

The conference fee is 130€ for 2 full days of presentations on 14 and 15 June if you register before 15 January 2025.  From 16 January 2025 the conference fee will be 150€.  The fee includes the opening reception on the evening of 13 June, 2 full days of presentations on 14 and 15 June and coffee breaks. It will also be possible to register for only one day, 14 or 15 June, at a cost of €75, which includes the coffee break of the chosen day. VVS members will receive a reduced fee of €20 for the 2 days or €10 for one day. 

It will be possible to order a sandwich lunch package for €25 per lunch. 

The opening reception is courtesy of the City of Leuven and is free of charge for all participants, with a maximum of one guest. In order to know the number of participants and for security reasons, we ask you to mention that you and a possible guest will be attending.

The Conference Venue

The venue of the SEC2015 presentations and sponsor stand during the 14-15 June sessions will be the Auditorium Jean Monnet, Parkstraat 51, 3000 Leuven.  

The Conference Dinner

The conference dinner will take place in the gastronomic restaurant Cum Laude of the Faculty Club at Leuven, located in the historic Grand Beguinage. Participation is optional. The price includes an aperitif with snacks and a 3-course menu. With a choice of wines, the price is €120 per person and €106 with water.  All delegates may bring a maximum of one companion on the optional activities. 

Pre-Conference activities

We have planned two pre-conference activities for the afternoon of Friday 13 June.  A guided visit to the Stella Artois brewery and a guided visit to the Carrillon of the University Library. Both activities will take place in parallel, so you will have to make a choice.

Visit of Stella-Artois

Leuven is not only known as a university city and educational centre. Stella Artois is Belgium's largest brewery and has a long brewing history linked to the city of Leuven. The city is home to the headquarters of the world's largest beer company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, and is sometimes referred to as the beer capital of the world. We are planning a private tour of the brewery followed by a guided tasting. The cost is 20€ per person and will take approximately 2 hours in total. There is a maximum of 60 places available. 

For more information on the brewery visit, click here.  

Visit the Carrillon of the University Library

The Low Countries (Netherlands, Belgium) are home to the world's largest musical instrument, the carillon. In 2014, UNESCO recognised the carillon culture in Belgium as part of the intangible cultural heritage. The tower of the University Library houses one of the largest and most beautiful carillons in Europe: 63 bells with a total weight of 35 tonnes, including the 'Liberty Bell of Louvain'. The carillon is a memorial to the American engineers of 1792 who died in Europe during the First World War. Take part in a climb up the tower, guided by the university's carillonneur, Luc Rombouts. During this one-hour tour, you will learn about the history of Belgium, Leuven and the University. You will also enjoy a short demonstration of the carillon, with a magnificent panoramic view of Leuven. The tour costs 15€ per person and there are 30 places available.

For more information on the Library Carillon, click here.

Donations

Your donations to the organisation of SEC2025 are greatly appreciated. Please feel free to use the donation facility by clicking here or on the Donate tab in the top menu. Please feel free to use the donation facility by clicking here or on the Donate tab in the top menu. If you would like to be listed as a donor on this website, you will need to enter your name in the description field on the 'Donate' tab, otherwise we will not know. Only donations of 20€ or more will be listed.