Reutlingen Observatory and Planetarium
The Reutlingen Observatory is a public observatory with an attached planetarium in the Württemberg city of Reutlingen . Organizationally, the observatory is part of the Verein für Volksbildung e. V. affiliated. At the end of 2012, 15 volunteers were working at the observatory. Public tours and group tours are offered regularly . The observatory is located on the building of the Ferdinand-von-Steinbeis-Schule, the commercial vocational school 1.
history
The Reutlingen observatory has a long tradition in the city and was founded in 1956. In 1960 a fixed telescope was installed in the dome , which is still in use today. The planetarium belonging to the observatory was installed in 1966. In 1986 a new planetarium projector was installed and is still in use today. Over the years, more mobile telescopes have been added to the observatory, including a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with a mirror diameter of 30 cm.
After extensive renovations in 2010, a lecture hall was built next to the planetarium and above it a 5.3 meter dome with a 50 cm reflector telescope. Mobile telescopes can be set up on three stone platforms around the dome.
Since the observatory was founded, visitors have come to the observatory in the four-digit range on average each year.
planetarium
The planetarium of the Reutlingen observatory has a dome with a diameter of 4.20 meters and can accommodate up to 25 guests. In 1987 the GOTO E 5 planetarium projector was installed, which is still in use today.
Telescopes
20 inch astrograph
The 20-inch Dall Kirkham astrograph is installed stationary in the 5.3 m large main dome. The telescope is mounted on a German GoTo mount and has the following data:
- Lens diameter 508 mm
- Focal length 3454 mm
- Focal ratio 1: 6.8
6 inch refractor to the astrograph
This guide scope is installed parallel to the 20-inch astrograph in the main dome and has the following data:
- Triplet ED with 140 mm objective diameter
- Focal length 980 mm
- Focal ratio 1: 7
6 inch refractor
This telescope is permanently installed on a massive equatorial mount in the observatory dome and has the following data:
- Two-lens with 150 mm lens diameter
- Focal length 2250 mm
- Focal ratio 1:15
12 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
The 12-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is in mobile use and is set up for guided tours on the terrace of the observatory. The telescope is mounted on a fork mount with a tripod and has the following data:
- Lens diameter 314 mm
- Focal length 3000 mm
- Focal ratio 1:10
8 inch Newtonian telescope
The 8-inch Newtonian telescope (reflector telescope) is also in mobile use and can be set up on the observatory terrace if necessary. The Newtonian is installed on an equatorial mount and has the following data:
- Objective diameter 200 mm
- Focal length 800 mm
- Focal ratio 1: 4
4 inch telescope
The 4-inch telescope is also in mobile use and is installed on an equatorial mount. Here is his data:
- Lens diameter 102 mm
- Focal length 1000 mm
- Focal ratio 1:10
Simulation models
The observatory has several simulation models for the vivid visualization of planetary orbits, moon phases and eclipses (moon and sun).
Web links
Individual evidence
- Reutlingen People's Observatory. 1956-1996. sn Reutlingen 1996 (anniversary publication).
Coordinates: 48 ° 29 ′ 51.5 ″ N , 9 ° 12 ′ 54 ″ E