Where does the city meet the sky?
Where do buildings lie low while people walk by?

Copenhagen’s bridges link neighborhoods together.

Last Summer, I found the Dronning Louises Bro as a new astronomy spot. It’s quickly become one of our favorites. The bridge links vibrant neighborhoods on either side. It hosts Denmark’s most trafficked bicycle lane – 40.000 cyclists per day. In the Summer, people sit and enjoy the warm breeze pass over the lakes.

I cycle to the foot of the bridge, hold up my hand to signal “stop”, and pull over onto the sidewalk. Days are getting longer, but nights still bite cold. The sun casts a warm orange onto the buildings.

I cast my tripod legs down onto the bridge. On the other side of the bridge, musicians jam on a keyboard and drums. People sit and chat. It’s a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of foottraffic. This time of day, facades are bathed in orange pink sunsets. For some, the bridge is a throughpath to their next destination, for others, the bridge is the destination. Either way, people slow down to appreciate the vista around them as the bridge gently crests towards the middle and reveals Copenhagens varied neighborhoods, it’s spired buildings and sparkling lakes. This is where I stand with my friends and our telescopes.

The moment I point toward Jupiter, I feel a tap on my back. It’s Kush, an exchange student from Singapore. He’s joining me tonight with a telescope kit I loaned him. Street astronomy is big in Singapore – you have a lot of astronomers stuck on an island with lots of lights. Only occasionally, on long holidays, do they fly to darker locations to do more serious observing together. Therefore the astronomers take to the streets together, offering views of the moon and planets to the general public. Kush wanted a chance to experience the same in Copenhagen.

His astronomy professor pointed him to the København Astronomisk Forening, and they pointed him to me.

A few of Kushs’ friends arrive, we already have a lively group hanging around the telescope. There’s a huge difference between standing alone and with friends. With two telescopes, street astronomy shifts appearance. One person is busking the street. Two astronomers must be waiting for the sky to rip open, or an eclipse. When a group hangs around a telescope, people’s curiosity peaks, their guard lowers, and they come up to ask for a look, often without us needing to invite them.

Now, Barrington joins us. Barrington is an astrophotographer living around the corner from the bridge. He wastes now time pulling out his phone and showing Kush the photos he’s able to take from his balcony. Shortly later, two more photographers, Bjørn and Anders, two friends and photographers. They’ve become a regular presence at the bridge – we’re beginning to meet the neighbors too.

Come join us on Dronning Louises Bro. If the sky is clear, there’s a chance we’re there!