Pfaffenwald University Observatory
The University Observatory Pfaffenwaldring (rarely also: Pfaffenwaldring Observatory) is a since 1934 at altitude in Stuttgart district Vaihingen existing observatory , by a donation from the 1972 University of Stuttgart was attached. The observatory originally belonged to the private property of the manufacturer Hermann Fellmeth , who had it built near his country house in the Vaihinger Pfaffenwald .
Until it was handed over to the university (on whose Vaihingen campus it is located) the observatory was used privately, after which it was mainly used for student training. Since the renovation with the help of the Zeiss company , it has been a regular observation station for a working group founded in 1977 at the university (Astronomy Working Group) and also serves as a public observatory . However, a dormitory built directly to the east is disadvantageous for valuable observations.
Architecture and instruments
The four-story, approximately 10-meter-high circular structure has some architectural features, including a spiral staircase running around the outside and the striking green dome that closes the entire tower . The Pfaffenwald University Observatory is therefore a listed building and because of some historically important instruments.
The historical telescopes are still used for observations, but are inferior to modern instruments in terms of image quality. However, the optical and mechanical equipment is interesting in terms of the history of technology : The oldest existing Schupmann medial telescope is located under the dome .
Instead of part of the former student lounges, a photo laboratory was set up on the ground floor in 1994 in order to be able to develop the sky images taken with the telescope . It was expanded further in 2010 in order to meet the great advances in astronomical photo technology and the use of CCD cameras .
Individual evidence
- ^ Regional Council Stuttgart, Section 86 Monument Preservation: List of Cultural Monuments in Baden-Württemberg Part A1, as of July 7, 2008.
literature
- "Students on the sidelines", Stuttgarter Nachrichten, October 9, 1974 edition
- “600 students feel isolated in the Pfaffenwald”, Stuttgarter Zeitung, October 9th 1974 edition
- Manfred Pfefferkorn: "Sterngucker im Pfaffenwald", Stuttgarter Nachrichten, edition of July 8, 1978
- Christian Wolter, Rainer Merz: "Gleanings in front of ATM's - The Neglected Schupmann Refractor", Sky & Telescope, March 1983
- Jörg Stimpfig: "Reaching for the stars from the Pfaffenwald ...", Vaihinger Schaufenster, edition of January 20, 1988
- Walter Metzger: “This and that from yesterday and today”, Vaihinger Schaufenster, edition of February 10, 1993
- Walter Metzger: "This and that from yesterday and today", Vaihinger Schaufenster, edition of June 7, 1995
- Rainer Klüting: "An observatory for the enthusiast with a lot of patience", Stuttgarter Nachrichten, issue of May 16, 2003
- Jürgen Lessat: "From the university to the universe", Stuttgarter Nachrichten, issue of May 23, 2005
Web links
- www.uni-stuttgart.de/sternwarte Website of the observatory and the astronomy working group
- Newspaper articles in the Stuttgarter Wochenblatt don't look into the tube
Coordinates: 48 ° 44 '47.8 " N , 9 ° 6' 6.6" E