September 19th, 2026
Dear you,
If you happened to be at the GMM on Tuesday, you would know that the spaceship that took off in Newsletter 1 in August has finally landed at its destination…
Without further ado, I’m honoured to officially introduce the 34th Board of L.A.D. ‘F. Kaiser’: h.t. Cygni!!!!
Now I could continue by introducing us all, but I think the time for personal introductions is past us. However, there is yet one thing to introduce:
Welcome to 34 Cygni, also known as P Cygni, a variable star in the constellation Cygni!! At a mere 5300 light-years from Earth, it is indeed a much closer destination than last year. Moreover, it’s one of the most luminous stars in the Milky Way and visible to the naked eye, so be sure to look out for it on your next stargazing adventure!!
Talking about stargazing adventures, we had some of our own planned this week. On Thursday, the observity committee hosted it’s last observing night, and on Friday, we studied Saturn at De Hoof in Someren during De Leidsche Flesch's First Year's Weekend (from which I’m sending this email)!!
Although Thursday started out quite rainy (I got completely soaked, my shoes were squelching, and my socks were soaked through), I think the weather gods decided to favour us as evening came around and we were able to observe in the end!!
Wishing you more sunny days and clear nights, Lyra Vranken,
Ab Actis, On behalf of Board 34 - h.t. Cygni
Contents * Announcements + SGAC/NVR Space Pub Quiz + Master’s Open Days * Past activities + Astroborrel + First General Members Meeting + Observity Observing Night * Upcoming activities + Committee Interest Borrel + Symposium + Kaiser x Sirius A Autumn Observing Trip * Star of the Week * WhatsApp group chat * Confidential Counsellors and University Support Systems
Announcements
SGAC/NVR Space Pub Quiz
On the 30th of September, NVR and SGAC are teaming up again after last year’s succes for the 2026 edition of the Space Pub Quiz. So if you know
all about previous space missions, the planets in our solar system, and the latest tech innovations in orbit, be sure to sign up and test your knowledge!! The Pub Quiz will take place in the Leidse Lente (Haagweg 4, 2311 AA Leiden) from 19:30-23:00 in teams of 3-5 people. There are a limited number of places available, so if you want to join, register quickly! Individual tickets are €5,- and tables for up to 5 people are €20,-.
Tickets for Space Pub Quiz (https://us.list-manage.com/yMWn1pKQXxP?e=3439c5f259&c2id=84aa061cf996d2e...)
Master’s Open Days Are you looking for a master's programme that will allow you to further specialise and prepare yourself for a successful career? Join the Master's Online Open Days on October 15th and 16th and learn how Leiden University can help you find the master’s that suits you best! Find out more by clicking the link below. Master’s Open Days (https://us.list-manage.com/1CTGZCEacXW?e=3439c5f259&c2id=84aa061cf996d2e...)
Past Activities
Astroborrel
Just under two weeks ago, we started the year with the Astroborrel in the Fusie!! We really enjoyed meeting and talking to all the familiar and unfamiliar faces, and were very happy with the turnout! We hope you all enjoyed yourselves as much as we did!! We also hope you didn’t forget to show off your space socks (as we did oops)!
First General Members Meeting
Last Tuesday, we had our very first General Members Meeting! We discussed important things like last years realisation, our policy plan for the coming year, the budget for the coming year, and the composition of the supervisory council. Moreover, we announced our board name: h.t. Cygni!! Thank you to everyone who was present!!
Observity Observing Night
Last Thursday, the 2025-2026 observity committee organised their last activity. Although the weather started out on the cloudy side, which meant playing a Kaiser/Observatory trivia, it changed its mind, and we were able to observe Albireo, Vega, and the Hercules Cluster after all!! We were also very happy to see quite a few new members at the observing night! Hopefully we’ll see you again at the new observity’s first activity somewhere in October!!
Upcoming Activities
Committee Interest Borrel - 23rd of September
Curious to see what it’s like being a part of a Kaiser Committee? Interested in joining one perhaps? Come to the Kaiser Lounge at 17:15 on Wednesday the 23rd of September to get to know more about our committees, either if you are thinking about joining one or just want to have a good afternoon with us! We will start with a presentation, followed by some drinks and pizza at your own expense while we answer your questions and chat!! Sign up now through the link below!
Committee Interest Borrel Sign Up (https://us.list-manage.com/wB243_EfnAF?e=3439c5f259&c2id=84aa061cf996d2e...)
Kaiser Symposium 1 - 29th of September
Curious about what your fellow students are up to? Don't worry, the first Kaiser Symposium is here!
We will have the opportunity to hear from two amazing master students: Andrea Scardigno will talk about the design and test of a compact hyperspectral imager for remote sensing 3U CubeSat, while Szymon Petyniak will talk about the star-planet interactions in the evolving stellar environment.
This first edition will take place the 29th of September in the Gorlaeus building (Einsteinweg 55), room BE.0.18, from 17:30 onwards! There will also be the option to order pizza with us at your own expense, so sign up now through the link below!
Kaiser Symposium Sign Up Form (https://us.list-manage.com/QRwCOsTpZfq?e=3439c5f259&c2id=84aa061cf996d2e...)
Kaiser x Sirius A Autumn Observing Trip
L.A.D. 'F. Kaiser' and Sirius A are proud to present: the Autumn Observing Trip!!
An amazing opportunity to enjoy the dark sky of Schiermonnikoog during the 9th, 10th, and 11th of October along with our friends from Sirius A! For only 50€, which includes food, drinks and the ferry transport, you can join us to create unforgettable memories!!
Keep in mind that the spots are full-up, so if you sign up now through the link below you will get waitlisted! Autumn Observing Trip Sign Up Form (https://us.list-manage.com/8FCsUDp8Dyi?e=3439c5f259&c2id=84aa061cf996d2e...)
Star of the Week
This week’s Star of the Week is Annie. Annie is an eleven year old Labrador-retriever, which basically means that she is obsessed with food. Furthermore, she likes to go to the beach and to steal your socks, so beware!! Upload your star here (https://us.list-manage.com/dAP1qWABW9J?e=3439c5f259&c2id=84aa061cf996d2e...)
Or send your star to Lyra (+31 6 22 39 95 34)
WhatsApp group chat Whether you're new to Kaiser or have been with us for a while, you may not know about the Kaiser WhatsApp group chat. Through this platform, we share the latest updates on activities, highlight current astronomical events, and simply enjoy chatting with fellow astronomy enthusiasts. If you'd like to join, just click the link below! WhatsApp Group Chat (https://us.list-manage.com/1CtnCOqBS74?e=3439c5f259&c2id=84aa061cf996d2e...)
Confidential Counsellors and University Support Systems If you feel like you need help, know that there are many points of support all around you at all times. You can always reach out to us as board for any solace we can possibly offer, and our study advisor Wouter Schrier (studyadvisor@strw.leidenuniv.nl (mailto:studyadvisor@strw.leidenuniv.nl) ) is always available to talk. Don't hesitate also to make use of the University facilities for support, by looking at the resources on this website (https://us.list-manage.com/Srob4NrxnmB?e=3439c5f259&c2id=84aa061cf996d2e...) or by booking an appointment with one of our student psychologists (through 071 - 527 8026 or psychologen@sea.leidenuniv.nl) (https://us.list-manage.com/AteN_VMNpG4?e=3439c5f259&c2id=84aa061cf996d2e...) .
I'd also like to draw your attention to the Confidential Persons of De Leidsche Flesch and the Observatory Allies of the STRW. We have collected some resources (https://us.list-manage.com/CjR5m6aQdaz?e=3439c5f259&c2id=84aa061cf996d2e...) which we as students can reach out to in case there is any situation or person within the university that makes us feel uncomfortable, unwelcome or threatened. If you have any experiences of this kind, don't hesitate to reach out to any of us within the board or the contacts listed in the link.
Know, that there are always many people within the university who are ready to listen, help or act accordingly where needed.
Board L.A.D. 'F. Kaiser' Constance Latreille
Lyra Vranken
David Gzib
Tessa Huesken
Sara Drapkin
Johannes Bregman
Contact: L.A.D. 'F. Kaiser' Einsteinweg 55 2333 CC Leiden kaiser@strw.leidenuniv.nl
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