Sankt Andreasberg observatory
The Sankt Andreasberg observatory is a project of the non-profit organization Sternwarte Sankt Andreasberg e. V. It was opened in August 2014 and is to be expanded to become the first completely barrier-free observatory in Germany.
The operating association names the goal of bringing heaven to all people - disabled and non-disabled. Sky observations , lectures and workshops impart basic astronomical knowledge to visitors .
Location
The Sankt Andreasberg observatory is located on Rehberg on the grounds of the International Haus Sonnenberg (IHS) , an international educational institution. It is the highest observatory in northern Germany. At an altitude of 710 meters, the air is particularly low in turbidity and light pollution in the Harz Nature Park - far away from large cities - is lower than in most other areas of northern Germany.
According to the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Sankt Andreasberg is astronomically one of the six best locations in Germany. Measurements with the Sky Quality Meter in April 2011 showed a value of 21.81 mag / arcsec².
In 2011, Sankt Andreasberg was included in the list of “StarParks” of the UNESCO- supported Starlight Initiative.
history
The Sankt Andreasberg Observatory Association was founded in 2008 with the aim of building and operating an observatory for everyone. First the observatory was to be rebuilt on a plot of land on the Jordanshöhe . Due to environmental protection requirements, the decision was made in July 2013 to rent a building at the International Haus Sonnenberg - around 1 km north of the originally planned location - and convert it into an observatory. The construction work in the house and in the outdoor area was largely financed by donations.
The opening took place on August 22, 2014. The east side of the building is to be expanded to include an observation dome.
Furnishing
Outside there are five telescopic columns of different heights with electrical connections and data transmission options. The club has several telescopes that can be used by guests . A reflector telescope with a diameter of 120 cm is in the works. A reflector telescope with a primary mirror with a diameter of 400 mm (16 ″ f / 8 Hypergraph) with a computer-controlled mount, type Knopf MK70S, will be used for the first time during STATT 2015 (August 13-16, 2015).
The reflector telescope can be used both visually and photographically.
Accessibility
The aim is to create an observatory that is as completely barrier-free as possible. It should be accessible to everyone. Sufficiently wide doors, stepless entrances and ramps for people with reduced mobility as well as handrails with Braille ensure this in the building and in the outdoor area . The offers and media of the observatory address all the senses and take into account limitations such as learning, mental, visual, hearing and movement impairments.
Tactile star maps and models of celestial bodies make these objects tangible even for many people with impaired vision and support the learning process by additionally addressing the sense of touch. Tactile star maps are used depending on the type and design of the representation of zodiac signs (stars in a plane), representation of the proportions and distances as well as their position to each other in space (3D model). Models of the lunar surface, entire moons, comets and asteroids from the 3D printer enable blind people to get an impression of their surface structure and shape.
Talking telescopes enable people with limited vision to get an impression of their own position in space and the location of astronomical objects. A device recognizes its own position with GPS , compass and position sensor and supports users with voice instructions with the alignment and names the objects at which it is aligned.
Barrier-free telescopic columns in the outdoor area enable people with limited mobility to operate the telescopes. The stable stand makes it possible to align them without great effort and without shaking. A total of five columns of different heights are available.
Live projection from the telescopes into the lecture room enable observation by a wide audience. It offers people with impaired vision the opportunity to see details that are difficult for them to see in the telescope. For people with restricted mobility it facilitates or enables access to observation.
A children's and youth academy for astronomy is planned in cooperation with the International Haus Sonnenberg with a focus on the MINT subjects and the subject of the environment, as well as a swivel arm mount on a telescopic column for wheelchair users and smaller people.
Sankt Andreasberger Telescope Meeting
Since 2009, the association has been organizing the Sankt Andreasberger Telescope Meeting (STATT) in August with over 100 astronomy enthusiasts from all over Germany.
In addition to observation opportunities, there is a supporting program with lectures by renowned experts. In 2014, when the observatory was officially opened, the annual North German observatory meeting took place there at the same time .
Cooperations
- Internationales Haus Sonnenberg educational facility
- Braunlage high school
- Andersicht association
- Regional adult education center Goslar
- House of Astronomy , Heidelberg , Department of Further Education in Schools
- Network of North German Observatories
- Disability associations
Awards
- 3rd place Reiff Education Prize for School Astronomy 2013
- 2nd place Education Award of the Braunschweig Region 2014
- The Sankt Andreasberg observatory was voted one of the “best in the Harz” in 2015/2016 and 2017/2018 in the Pure Nature category .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Bringing people closer to heaven, Braunlager Kurier, September 18, 2014
- ↑ Sankt Andreasberg Observatory - Accessibility . Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i Gabriele Schulte: The Milky Way very close , Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung of August 22, 2014
- ↑ Shadow games in the solar system , Goslarsche Zeitung of March 21, 2015
- ↑ Clear view of the sun , Goslarsche Zeitung of March 21, 2015
- ^ The highest observatory in the north in St. Andreasberg ( Memento from June 29, 2015 in the Internet Archive ), website of Sat1 Regional Hannover, accessed on April 12, 2015
- ↑ a b c d Observatory opens to everyone, Angela Potthast, Goslarsche Zeitung from August 1, 2014
- ↑ a b c d Construction of the observatory is becoming more and more concrete, Karl-Heinz Siebeneicher, Goslarsche Zeitung of March 10, 2014
- ↑ Crowdfunding project of the Sankt Andreasberg observatory . Website of the crowdfunding platform Sciencestarter . Retrieved April 3, 2015.
- ↑ Sankt Andreasberg Observatory - Technology . Retrieved April 3, 2015.
- ↑ a b Observatory is here - now the association is about the expansion , Karl-Heinz Siebeneicher, Goslarsche Zeitung of March 9, 2015
- ↑ Website Teleskoptreffen.info , accessed on April 12, 2015, 1:20 p.m.
- ^ Adrian Kaminski: Eventful August in Sankt Andreasberg ; Article from June 11, 2014 on Spektrum.de
- ↑ Sankt Andreasberg Observatory - Astronomy and Inclusion . Retrieved April 3, 2015.
- ↑ website Ander view eV . Retrieved April 3, 2015
- ↑ Sankt Andreasberg observatory - program of the first “KVHS astro trial course” in the observatory ( memento from January 29, 2016 in the Internet Archive ). Retrieved April 3, 2015.
- ^ Reiff Foundation ( Memento from April 12, 2015 in the web archive archive.today ). Retrieved April 12, 2015.
- ↑ Sankt Andreasberg observatory - 3rd prize for the Sankt Andreasberg observatory . Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- ↑ Sankt Andreasberg Observatory - Observatory wins 2nd education award . Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- ↑ Sankt Andreasberg Observatory - Awards . Retrieved August 18, 2019.
Coordinates: 51 ° 43 ′ 54.6 " N , 10 ° 31 ′ 33.8" E