Public observation evenings in the Great Refractor in Potsdam
Announcement observation evenings
Credit: AIPThe Great Refractor on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Over the winter months, the historic telescope now opens its dome again for public observation evenings. On six dates between November 2024 and April 2025 anyone who is interested will have the opportunity to take a look through the world's fourth-largest refracting telescope.
The 2024/25 season starts with an observation evening on 15 November 2024. On this evening, the telescope will be used to explore the moon. Other objects to be observed during the season include Jupiter, Mars and the Orion Nebula. The event is open to all who are interested and free of charge; registration is not required.
Observations through the telescope are only possible when the sky is clear and the dome is free of snow. If the weather is not fine and it is raining, snowing or foggy, a demonstration of the instruments will be offered instead. Visitors will be given fascinating insights into the technology and history of the Great Refractor.
In 1874, the Astrophysical Observatory Potsdam (AOP) was founded on the site of today's Albert Einstein Science Park. The AOP on the Telegrafenberg played a leading role in the spectral study of stars. To study fainter stars, it was decided to build the Great Refractor. The refracting telescope was constructed between 1896 and 1899 and ceremonially inaugurated on 26 August 1899 in the presence of Emperor Wilhelm II. After war-related damage in 1945 and a subsequent modernization in 1953, the Great Refractor finally ceased operation completely in 1968. In 1997 the support association “Großer Refraktor Potsdam e.V.” was founded, which campaigned for the complete restoration of the dilapidated refractor. Restoration work lasted from 2003 to 2006 and finally on 31 May 2006, the Great Refractor shone in new brilliance at its rededication ceremony.
Dates:
Friday, November 15, 2024, 8:00 PM
Thursday, December 12, 2024, 7:00 PM
Thursday, January 9, 2025, 7:00 PM
Friday, February 14, 2025, 7:00 PM
Monday, March 10, 2025, 7:00 PM
Thursday, April 3, 2025, 8:00 PM
Approach:
If you are travelling by car, you can park in Albert-Einstein-Straße. From there, it is a 5 to 10-minute walk to the dome of the Great Refractor. The meeting point for the observation evenings is at the dome of the refractor building.
Bus 691 runs every 20 minutes from Potsdam main station to the ‘Potsdam Telegrafenberg’ station.
Further information
https://www.aip.de/en/pr/visit-the-telescopes/visiting-the-great-refractor/
Announcement observation evenings
Credit: AIPThe Great Refractor on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Over the winter months, the historic telescope now opens its dome again for public observation evenings. On six dates between November 2024 and April 2025 anyone who is interested will have the opportunity to take a look through the world's fourth-largest refracting telescope.
The 2024/25 season starts with an observation evening on 15 November 2024. On this evening, the telescope will be used to explore the moon. Other objects to be observed during the season include Jupiter, Mars and the Orion Nebula. The event is open to all who are interested and free of charge; registration is not required.
Observations through the telescope are only possible when the sky is clear and the dome is free of snow. If the weather is not fine and it is raining, snowing or foggy, a demonstration of the instruments will be offered instead. Visitors will be given fascinating insights into the technology and history of the Great Refractor.
In 1874, the Astrophysical Observatory Potsdam (AOP) was founded on the site of today's Albert Einstein Science Park. The AOP on the Telegrafenberg played a leading role in the spectral study of stars. To study fainter stars, it was decided to build the Great Refractor. The refracting telescope was constructed between 1896 and 1899 and ceremonially inaugurated on 26 August 1899 in the presence of Emperor Wilhelm II. After war-related damage in 1945 and a subsequent modernization in 1953, the Great Refractor finally ceased operation completely in 1968. In 1997 the support association “Großer Refraktor Potsdam e.V.” was founded, which campaigned for the complete restoration of the dilapidated refractor. Restoration work lasted from 2003 to 2006 and finally on 31 May 2006, the Great Refractor shone in new brilliance at its rededication ceremony.
Dates:
Friday, November 15, 2024, 8:00 PM
Thursday, December 12, 2024, 7:00 PM
Thursday, January 9, 2025, 7:00 PM
Friday, February 14, 2025, 7:00 PM
Monday, March 10, 2025, 7:00 PM
Thursday, April 3, 2025, 8:00 PM
Approach:
If you are travelling by car, you can park in Albert-Einstein-Straße. From there, it is a 5 to 10-minute walk to the dome of the Great Refractor. The meeting point for the observation evenings is at the dome of the refractor building.
Bus 691 runs every 20 minutes from Potsdam main station to the ‘Potsdam Telegrafenberg’ station.
Further information
https://www.aip.de/en/pr/visit-the-telescopes/visiting-the-great-refractor/
Images
Announcement observation evenings
