Long Night

On October 26th, 2024, the Thuringian State Observatory invites the public to the "Long Night of the Stars". The observatory in the Tautenburg Forest can be visited between 5 pm and midnight. We will be observing the night sky, explain constellations and talk about our scientific projects. There will be special events for children.

If the weather permits, observations of the night sky with our 2 Meter telescope can be experienced live. Every half and full hour a demonstration will be given in the dome where live-observations with the telescope will be performed and projected onto the dome.

Free tickets should be obtained at the entrance of the observatory

The entrance to the observatory is free. Group size to visit the dome with its 2 meter telescope is limited to 70 visitors at the same time due to limited space. In order to avoid that too many people are in the dome at the same time, tickets to visit the dome will be handed out in front of the dome.

Tours for kids

We will offer three tours for children: at 5.30 pm, 6 pm and 6.30 pm

Children's Book presentation

Nils and Svenja Kretschmer will read from their book "Bastian - oder Wie man aus einer Ente eine Rakete baut".
Where? First floor of the Neubau
When? at 6 pm, 6.30 pm and 7 pm

Star Party - admire constellations in the night sky

In collaborations with the Urania-Observatory Jena, it will also be possible to look at the night sky directly with small telescopes. Observations will be possible starting at 7 pm.  Enjoy the very dark night sky at the observatory in Tautenburg - something that is hard to find in our cities.

At 8 pm, 9 pm and 10 pm the stellar constellations will be explained.

To make sure everyone gets a beautiful view of the stars, we will be avoiding artificial light.  The roads will be illuminated weakly with glow sticks. The moon will not be visible during this night and will not brighten up the sky.

A special highlight will be the observation of the comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3). The comet will be visible after sun set, if the weather permits.

A station of the LOFAR-radio telescope is located on the grounds of the observatory . We will explain how it works and introduce people to the science, which is done with it.

In the main building, visitors can listen to talks: Astronomers will talk about their current scientific projects, research methods and results.

 

Time	Talk (in German)	Speaker
17:30	Comets (if the weather permits, the comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS can be observed after the talk)	Dr. Jochen Eislöffel
18:30	Giant-radio galaxies, the largets objects in the universe	Prof. Dr. Heinz Andernach
19:30	Star sibblings	Dr. Veronika Schaffenroth
20:30	Are there black holes?	Prof. Dr. Markus Roth
21:30	How young stars are growing - accretion outbursts explained	Dr. Verena Wolf
22:30	Extrasolar planets - the strange sibblings of the Earth	Dr. Eike W. Guenther

A few practical details:

Unfortunately, the dome and the grounds are not barrier free!

Please dress in warm clothes, as most of the event takes place outdoors, and it can already be quite cold at the end of October.

To warm up again after observing the stars, there will be the possibility to buy food and drinks on the grounds of the observatory.

The entrance to the Long Night of the Stars is free, a reservation is not necessary.

We are looking forward to your visit on October 26th, 2024, starting at 5 pm.