Starkenburg observatory

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The Starkenburg observatory e. V. Heppenheim is a club observatory in Heppenheim an der Bergstrasse in southern Hesse . It is registered under the IAU code 611 . In it amateur astronomical observations are carried out and public scientific educational events are offered.

Geographical location

  • Longitude: 08 ° 39 '07 ″ East
  • Latitude: 49 ° 38 '48 ″ North
  • Height above NN: 256 m

history

Following the initiative of Alfred Sturm and Martin Geffert to found the Starkenburg observatory, construction of the building at the foot of the Starkenburg began in 1970 . In 1973 the association “Astronomical Working Group in the Heppenheim Cultural Area” was founded. V. ”, which in 1991 became part of the“ Starkenburg-Sternwarte e. V. “was convicted.

Equipment and focus of observation

Dome of the observatory

The observatory has an observation platform with various telescopes , mostly refractors . A 45 cm Newtonian telescope equipped with a CCD camera is located under a dome with a diameter of 5 meters . With this equipment, the Starkenburg Observatory has been participating in the observation and search of minor planets since 1995 . So far (as of January 2020) 58 minor planets have been discovered by members of the observatory and some have been baptized. The asteroid 14080, discovered on April 1, 1997, was named Heppenheim (see (14080) Heppenheim ). Radio astronomy has also been practiced at the Starkenburg observatory since 1977 . The observatory has a special building that is equipped with a radio telescope .

Events

Detail of the observatory

With numerous public events and lectures, the members of the Starkenburg Observatory try to make a contribution to astronomical education in the population in accordance with the statutes. In a demanding lecture program there are weekly contributions from the natural sciences with a focus on astronomy and other areas. When the weather is clear, the public has the opportunity to observe the sky with the instruments on the observation platform on Fridays. The Starkenburg observatory has already hosted several specialist conferences. The Heppenheim Planet Path was inaugurated on Hessentag , which was set up and financed by the city of Heppenheim on the initiative of the observatory . This planetary path is 2.6 km long to bring hikers closer to the dimensions of our solar system .

Others

In May 2001 the name of the observatory went through the international press when a minor planet discovered by observatory member Felix Hormuth was christened Arthurdent (18610) . Arthur Dent is the main character in Douglas Adams novel series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy .

Web links

supporting documents


Coordinates: 49 ° 38 ′ 48 ″  N , 8 ° 39 ′ 7 ″  E