Kassel observatory

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The observatory Kassel is on the roof of the Student Research Center of the University of Kassel built observatory . It was opened in 2012 and is located almost in the city center.

prehistory

Landgrave Wilhelm IV , Landgrave of Hessen-Kassel , had the first observatory in Central Europe set up in the City Palace of Kassel around 1560 ; it consisted of two balconies on the south front of the palace and was provided with a balustrade walkway. It was destroyed in the great fire of the castle in November 1811, but most of the instruments were saved and later brought to the orangery .

history

Today's observatory emerged from the merger of the Calden observatory and the student research center in 2011. In 2012 the astronomical instruments in the old observatory were dismantled and brought to Kassel together with all the equipment. In addition, the equipment of the observatory was supplemented by further instruments and numerous accessories from the funds of the student research center.

Under the retractable roof of the student research center there are three mounts with the large telescopes, all of which can be computer controlled. The ambient light of the city is dimmed with special filters so that the observation of galaxies and nebulae is still possible.

A special feature is the electrically height-adjustable column on the roof terrace, which also allows wheelchair users and children to carry out astronomical observations.

Instruments

Observatory

Roof terrace

  • 250 mm Dobsonian mirror telescope
  • Electrically height-adjustable column for wheelchair users and children: 200 mm Celestron-C8-Schmidt- Cassegrain telescope

equipment

Web links

Coordinates: 51 ° 18 ′ 59.1 ″  N , 9 ° 28 ′ 45.9 ″  E