The Thuringian State Observatory Tautenburg (TLS) is a research institute of the Free State of Thuringia. It conducts basic research in astrophysics. The astronomers
- search for and characterize extrasolar planets,
- observe and analyze solar and stellar oscillations,
- explore gamma-ray bursts,
- investigate the processes of star formation,
- examine the structure and evolution of the Milky Way and distant galaxies,
- and track asteroids.
TLS researchers use various telescopes for their observations: TLS astronomers observe at large telescopes worldwide. The centerpiece in Tautenburg is the 2-meter Alfred-Jensch Telescope for observation in the optical spectral range. The Thuringian State Observatory also operates a station of the European radio telescope Low Frequency Array (LOFAR).
The optical Alfred-Jensch Telescope is the largest Schmidt camera in the world. Due to its design, the Schmidt mirror has a very large field of view, allowing the 2-meter telescope of the Thuringian State Observatory to observe and photograph extensive celestial objects such as galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and the orbits of asteroids well. As a universal telescope, it can be converted into a Coude telescope.
LOFAR is the world's largest radio telescope for receiving radio waves and ultrashort waves. The receiver stations are distributed across several countries in Europe: 38 stations are located at the headquarters in the Netherlands, six in Germany (one of them in Tautenburg), and others in France, Ireland, Latvia, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Since January 2024, LOFAR is operated by a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC). The Thuringian State Observatory represents the German participants in the LOFAR ERIC.
In a modern solar laboratory, astronomers are developing instruments and a prototype for a solar observatory to continuously monitor the sun. Strong eruptions occur repeatedly on the sun, which hurl a lot of material into space. This material (plasma) can affect technological facilities in space and on Earth as a solar storm. For example, satellites for communication or navigation could fail or the power supply on Earth could be disrupted. The scientific investigation of solar activity is becoming increasingly urgent. For this reason, research into the interior of the sun and stars and their magnetic activity is being expanded as a field of research at the Thuringian State Observatory.
Currently, a total of 50 employees are employed at the Thuringian State Observatory, including 35 in the scientific field, including junior research groups and scientific assistants.
Latest News
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TLS and Fraunhofer IOF develop single-mode fiber coupling for telescopes with adaptive optics
- Information
- 04 August 2025
The Thuringian State Observatory in Tautenburg and the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF in Jena are jointly developing a key technology that can be used for astronomical measurements of stars and in modern devices for transmitting encrypted data. The FREEFIB rese... -
Obituary: Dr. Patrick Gaulme
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- 31 July 2025
Patrick Gaulme, tenured researcher at the Thüringer Landessternwarte - Karl Schwarzschild Observatory, passed away on July 14, 2025, at the age of 47, following pancreatic cancer. Patrick was born in Paris on July 22, 1978. He got his PhD in Astrophysics at Université Pierre et Marie Curie in 2005 un... -
Interdisciplinary conference on the Physics of the Sun
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- 14 July 2025
Scientists took an interdisciplinary look at our Sun during a Spanish-German research seminar. Markus Roth, director of the Thuringian State Observatory was one of the scientific co-organizer of the conference. "Interdisciplinary Physics of the Sun" – that was the focus of a conference taking place... -
Students from the Wilhelm-Ostwald-Gymnasium in Leipzig visit the Observatory in Tautenburg
- Information
- 25 June 2025
A group of 25 students from the Wilhelm-Ostwald-Gymnasium (WOG) in Leipzig, together with two teachers, visited the Thuringian State Observatory in June 2025. Visiting an astronomical research facility is a great addition to the content taught in their astronomy class. Wilhelm-Ostwald-Gymnasium is a...
Interesting Topics
Exoplanets
How unique is our solar system in our galaxy, the Milky Way? How are planets actually formed? How common are extrasolar planets? And what conditions must be present for life to arise on planets ? Astronomers at the Thuringian State Observatory have been studying ...Read more
Galaxies, Galaxy Clusters, Quasars
Since light travels at a finite speed, looking deep into space is also a look back into the history of the universe. In recent decades, it has become possible to look so deep into the universe that observations reveal cosmologically relevant developmental effects on large scales...Read more
2-m Universal Mirror Telescope
The centerpiece of the Tautenburg Observatory for optical spectral range observations is the 2-m Universal Mirror Telescope. When it was first commissioned, it was one of the five largest telescopes in the world. In 1992...Read more
History of TLS
The history of the observatory in the Tautenburg Forest begins shortly after the Second World War. It is influenced and shaped by the political events of the post-war period: the division of Germany. Find out more about the background and the exciting development of the institute.Read more
Team
Job Postings
W3 or W2 with tenure track to W3 professorship for Astrophysics
10.07.2025
In a joint appointment with the Thuringian State Observatory (= Thüringer Landessternwarte, TLS) Friedrich Schiller University Jena invites applications for a W3 or W2 with tenure track to W3 professorship for Astrophysics at the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy to be filled in accordance with the Berlin Model at the next possible date.
The person to be appointed (m/f/o) should have an outstanding international reputation in Astrophysics. An excellent research profile at the interfaces of astronomical observations with substantial experience in the use of large telescopes, advanced analysis of large datasets, or the modelling of astrophysical processes are expected. A proven record of successfull acquisition of competitive third-party funding and leadership skills is essential.
The work is to be carried out at the TLS, a research institute of the Free State of Thuringia. The professorship is associated with the establishment of a new research area at the TLS.
The complete job description can be found here.
We stand for an open-minded Thuringia
The Thuringian State Observatory in Tautenburg is a research institution that promotes diversity and individuality based on respect and tolerance, and opposes anti-democratic and discriminatory tendencies. For this reason, we support the initiative "Weltoffenes Thüringen" (Open-minded Thuringia). The decentralized, networked initiative aims to send a signal that many people, institutions, associations, and companies in the state stand for a democratic, diverse, and open-minded Thuringia. For more information about "Weltoffenes Thüringen" and the opportunity to support the initiative, please visit: www.thueringen-weltoffen.de
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