Visiting the Great Refractor
The "Science Park Albert Einstein" on Potsdam's Telegrafenberg (see locations) is home to the Great Refractor and the Solar Observatory Einstein Tower, which are very interesting in a history of science context and still very popular with all age groups. The park is open during the day, all buildings can be visited from the outside without making an appointment. Guests of the science park only need to register at the park entrance (front gate).
The Great Refractor can be visited within a guided tour from the inside. Dates and hours are announced on this page, via our public events page and via the local media in Potsdam; guided tours for groups of 15 or more people are also possible via the Förderverein Großer Refraktor e.V.
Public Observation Evenings
The next observation evenings take place from Novermber 2024 to March 2025:
- Friday, 15th November 2024, 8 pm
- Thursday, 12th December 2024, 7 pm
- Thursday, 9th Januar 2025, 7pm
- Friday, 14th February 2025, 7pm
- Monday, 10th March 2025, 7pm
- Thursday, 3rd April 2025, 8 pm
Meeting point: Dome of the refractor building, A27, Science Park "Albert Einstein", Telegrafenberg, Potsdam (see map at Directions Telegrafenberg).
Admission is free, no registration required. Observation is only possible in clear weather conditions, and if there is no snow on the dome. In case of rain, snow or fog, we will show a demonstration of the instrument. Please note that outside temperatures prevail in the dome of the building, so it can get very cold.
If you arrive by car, please use the parking opportunities in the street "Albert-Einstein-Straße". From there it is a 5-10 minute walk to the Great Refractor.
The Great Refractor building at the Telegrafenberg.
Credit: AIP
The Great Refractor, the fourth largest refracting telescope in the world, is still functional.
Credit: AIP