The link between students and the stars: Sanne works at the Old Observatory
From children’s birthday parties to international ambassadors, the Old Observatory attracts a wide range of visitors. Student coordinator Sanne van Beek connects visitors and students, ensuring everyone — from five to sixty-five — learns something about the stars.
Sanne has been working at the Old Observatory for five years now. What started as a student job as a tour guide grew into her current role as student coordinator. Alongside this, she is now doing a research master’s in Astronomy. ‘I’m basically the link between the Old Observatory and the student staff,’ she says.
Unexpected questions about the mysteries of the universe
As coordinator, Sanne creates schedules, keeps track of who is trained for what, and answers questions that come in via email. These range from simple requests for a guided tour to unexpected questions about mysterious phenomena in the sky. ‘Sometimes people genuinely think the world is ending. Most of the time it turns out to be Starlink satellites — or even a reflection from the neighbours’ bathroom window,’ she says, laughing.
She actually thinks it’s a good thing that people ask these kinds of questions. ‘It’s better that people ask us than start searching online and end up believing all kinds of wild stories.’
Sanne’s love for giving tours started even before she began working at the Old Observatory. She volunteered as a guide at her student association and had experience as a teaching assistant. ‘I’ve always enjoyed explaining things, but classroom teaching didn’t quite feel like my place. This felt like the perfect fit.’
‘Never underestimate young children’
The groups she welcomes vary widely: from school classes and golf clubs to farming companies and international ambassadors. ‘You always adapt your story. Pupils mainly want to see the telescope, while older visitors are often more interested in the history.’
One workshop for children aged five to six showed her that young children should never be underestimated. ‘They asked questions like how black holes work, and why things orbit around them. Explaining black holes to five-year-olds was quite a challenge, but they had clearly done their homework.’
New tour guides wanted
Sanne’s team is looking for new student tour guides who enjoy telling different audiences about the Old Observatory. You do not have to study Astronomy, but you are required to complete an introductory course from the programme.
Interested? Email Sanne at coordinator@oudesterrewacht.nl.
Telescopes as the highlight
For Sanne, the telescopes remain the absolute highlight. ‘The first time I saw Jupiter, with its moons, and later the rings of Saturn, was truly special.’ Almost all of the telescopes are still in use, although the Observatory today mainly serves an educational purpose. Due to light pollution in the city, serious research is no longer possible here — but that actually gives students and the public the chance to see such telescopes up close.
‘After five years, the routine is there’
In addition to private tours, there is also the visitor centre, which currently hosts the Plants and Planets exhibition. Students work shifts there, give walk-in tours and help in the café. ‘Not everyone has to do everything. It depends on what you’ve been trained for. Keeping track of that is an important part of my job.’
Although coordination takes up more of her time, Sanne still enjoys giving tours herself. ‘After five years, I hardly have to think about the story anymore,’ she laughs. ‘I can usually just start talking and it all falls into place.’ She is not yet sure what the future will bring. ‘If research suits me, I’ll go in that direction. And if not, I’d be just as happy going into education.’