The "KITION PLANETARIUM & OBSERVATORY" is a private initiative.  It was founded by Mr. George Troullias, and was officially registered as an organization, on February 14, 2008.

It is a great honour for us to bear the landmark name of the ancient city of Larnaca, “KITION”.

With a lot of passion in science and in sharing the knowledge among the general public, Mr. George Troullias gathered more people and scientists who shared the same dream and passion and the journey began.

The mission of our organization is to promote the study, experimentation and information in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, space science as well as the fields of other physical and social applied sciences.

The "KITION PLANETARIUM & OBSERVATORY" carries out many different activities related to science and technology. Thousands of locals and foreign tourists, children, schools, organized groups, and scientists have visited us since 2008.

Since it was founded, the "KITION PLANETARIUM & OBSERVATORY" has shown great social responsibility and participated in charity initiatives. It has contributed in fundraising for the communal market and to support cancer patients and other vulnerable groups in the community.

It is worth to mention our cooperation with the police and our support to their programs in fighting against drugs. The "KITION PLANETARIUM & OBSERVATORY" collaborates with public benefit institutions and charity foundations (e.g. Christina A. Apostolou Foundation, Association of Cancer Patients and Friends, etc.) and support their cause to fundraise for money, clothes, food and toys for those in need.

The "KITION PLANETARIUM & OBSERVATORY" represents Cyprus internationally in many projects and organizations, but is also involved in national and projects and research.

We are appointed as the National Coordinators for Cyprus in the following:

1. Cyprus National Coordinator for UNESCO International Day of Light

2. Cyprus National Coordinator for Astronomers Without Borders

3. Cyprus National Coordinator for United Nations World Space Week

4. Cyprus National Coordinator for Sidewalk Astronomers

5. Cyprus Regional Coordinator for UNESCO ASTEROID DAY

6. National Point of Contact for Fireballs for IMO (International Meteor Organization)

Projects Coordinated and Involved:

1. AWB UNDER THE SAME STARS (ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY)

2. Starry Bridges (Cyprus) 2017, Program Developer / Organizer

3. Cosmic Light Reaches Cyprus, 2016, Program Developer / Organizer

4. UCLAN, International Astrophysics Conference, Disc Dynamics and Planet Formation, Organizational Partner 2015

5. Cyprus National Coordinator for UNESCO International Year of Light 2015 and Light Based Technologies

6. KITION 2014 – CHARITY ASTRONOMY FESTIVAL

7. Host/Organizer, Cyprus DomeFest 2011

8. Cyprus Science Festival Organizational Partner 2011

9. IDA (International Dark Sky Association)

10. BEYOND IYA2009

11. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ASTRONOMY

12. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PLANETARIUMS

13. INTERNATIONAL DARWIN DAY

14. EARTH HOUR BLUE 60+

15. GLOBE AT NIGHT

16. SEASONS WITHOUT BORDERS

17. BEAUTY WITHOUT BORDERS

18. InOMN (INTERNATIONAL OBSERVE THE MOON NIGHT)

19. METEORS WITHOUT BORDERS

20. ECLIPSE WITHOUT BORDERS

21. GALILEAN NIGHTS

22. GLOBAL ASTRONOMY MONTH

Research:

1. Archaeoastronomy

2. NASA Radio Jove Project (Radioastronomy: Observations of Solar and Jovian Bursts)

3. Asteroid Search

4. Meteor Observations

5. Variable Stars

6. Meteorite Expeditions

7. Geology and Fossils of Cyprus

8. Biodiversity of Cyprus

9. Biology (Behaviour of Planaria)

We are very proud to point, the appointment as part of the organizing committee for the International Astrophysics Conference that took place in June 2015 at UCLAN Cyprus.  It is a great honour for us, on behalf of the conference organizers, the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute for Mathematics, Astronomy and Physics of Preston at UCLAN England. This is a return for our work being recognized in the global scientific community.  It promotes Cyprus around the world and helps the development of science and astrotourism in Cyprus since 2008.

In 2016 we have successfully introduced the first annual Cypriot project named "COSMIC LIGHT REACHES CYPRUS 2016" ("Cosmic Light Reaches Cyprus 2016") which was selected among the best projects in the world by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and was an extension of the celebrations of the World Year of Light 2015 and UNESCO Light-Based Technologies.

In 2017, a new and more enriched project named "Starry Bridges" was introduced, which was again among the best projects in the world.  It involved the science of astronomy and its influence on culture.

In January 2018, we achieved to join a project and directly communicate with astronaut Mark Vande Hei who was on-board the International Space Station (ISS). At the end of the year we had a new publication in the IEEE journal related to Near Earth Objects (NEOs).

In the field of research we have made many discoveries of new (preliminary) asteroids in the Main Asteroid Zone in collaboration with NASA and universities abroad. One of our most important discoveries is the ASTEROID 2019 AN16. We also have several discoveries in the field of archaeoastronomy, which have been published by some of the most respected scientific journals. At the same time we continue our research in the areas of the above mentioned fields.

It is worth mentioning that we maintain an exhibition of Cypriot Geology and Fossils, where the visitor can learn about the creation of the island, the first inhabitants, the extinct endemic dwarf hippopotamus and dwarf elephants, and the phenomenon of dwarfism which occurs on islands.  A new space exhibition, gives the opportunity to visitors to look at our collection of meteorites and space food as wells as other space missions memorabilia.

Our staff, offer their services on a voluntary basis.  They consist of scientists, students, but also ordinary citizens who show interest in our projects and share the same passion with us.

For further growth and expansion of our projects, we need funds, resources and support to our organization to be able to survive in these difficult times.  Since our establishment, we had no funding from any sources, but instead, our staff contributed with their personal time and money.  They all deserve a big thank you and great appreciation from our team.

We are always open for cooperation, and joint activities, and collaboration and support in the development of our new Science Centre, Planetarium and Observatory.

Our methods of teaching and communicating with the public, gives visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty of the starry sky using simple scientific and entertaining methods and to comprehend the human position in the Solar System and the Universe.

It is impossible to describe by words, the excitement of the visitors when they observe the celestial objects through our telescopes. The travel in the world of wonder and they are looking forward to learn more.

The “KITION PLANETARIUM & OBSERVATORY” as the pioneers and leaders in Cyprus in the field of Astronomy and Astrophysics, with experience and many applied projects since 2008, aim the involvement of the new generation in science and technology and especially in the science of Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Join our spacewalk, for a journey through the magical world of discovery, search and exploration, with the hope that our Cyprus will be strengthened in the field of space.

A move of support and cooperation on your part in our work, will offer uniqueness to your world, but also its practical support in the field of research and science, strengthening the vision for the development of technology and space science in Cyprus.

With your support you give us the opportunity to promote Cyprus abroad and to develop and enrich our programs by offering even more to the general public, with quality ways of entertainment and education, attracting and involving more young people in the field of space science. Your support, also contributes to the development of knowledge, provides social contribution, work and culture.

We are looking forward to meet people who share common goals and aspirations in the development and promotion of science and culture and we are open to suggestions and ideas.

Please feel free to contact us and join our team.