Observers Notebook

Episode 227 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to Pranvera Hyseni — founder of Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo, driving force behind Kosovo’s first National Observatory and Planetarium, and one of the most influential young voices in global astronomy education. Pranvera shares her remarkable journey from discovering the night sky in post-war Kosovo to becoming a worldwide leader in science outreach, earning international recognition and even having asteroid 45687 Pranverahyseni named in her honor. We explore how she built Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo (AOK) from a one-person dream into a national movement reaching tens of thousands of students, teachers, and families each year. She discusses the challenges of grassroots outreach, the role of female leadership in STEM, building a planetarium from the ground up, and how amateur astronomers everywhere can empower their own communities. Whether you’re an educator, an amateur astronomer, a student, or simply someone who loves