A sky full of stars, live observations with the radio and reflector telescopes and the guest appearance of a comet: The Long Night of the Stars offered the visitors many highlights.
The guests were welcomed with astronomical knowledge. The program for the Long Night of Stars informed them that sunset on October 26th, 2024 was at 5.58 pm. At 7.10 pm, the sun was 12 degrees below the horizon. That was the end of the nautical twilight, individual stars appeared. At 7.49 pm, the sun was 18 degrees below the horizon. Then it was completely dark and the starry sky became visible.
In front of the open dome Photo: TLS
Every half hour there were tours presenting and explaining the 2 meter telescope. The first three tours were aimed specifically at the younger audience. There was a great rush of visitors - when can you see a 2 meter telescope in action? At dusk, the dome was opened. Visitors were able to take part in a live observation with the 2 meter Alfred-Jensch-Telescope.
The coordinates of the target object are set with the help of a computer program. The telescope moves to this position with a quiet whirring sound and the dome with the open slit rotates with it. The exposure time depends on the object. For the demonstrations, the image was then projected onto a large screen.
The comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS viewed with the 2 meter telescope. Photo: TLSMany visitors wanted to take a look at the comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS. It was visible in the west after sunset until around 9 pm. However, it was difficult to catch with the naked eye and even with binoculars, as it was already too faint. But when the 2 meter Alfred Jensch telescope with its particularly large field of view and light-sensitive CCD camera brought the comet into view for the public, it was a real “wow” moment.
The observatory had set up smaller telescopes on the meadow next to the new Tautenburg solar laboratory with the support of members of the Volkssternwarte Urania Jena e.V.. Visitors were able to use them to observe the stars for themselves. The planet Saturn shone in the night sky after 7 pm and Jupiter after 10 pm. As the weather was exceptionally good for the time of year and the night sky was relatively clear, the small telescopes were very busy until the end of the event.
There were even more highlights for the young audience: An entertaining and exciting book presentation of “Bastian oder Wie man aus einer Ente eine Rakete baut” by Svenja and Nils Kretschmer. This was so popular that Svenja and Nils Kretschmer did additional readings. The true-to-scale model of the 2-meter mirror telescope and the dome made of building blocks was also surrounded by children all evening. Using the model, the master builders were able to explain how the (real) telescope works and how it can be converted from Schmidt to Coude mode.
The astronomers showed the clearly visible constellations in the night sky outside. Inside, in the research building, they reported on their work. Markus Roth, Director of the Thuringian State Observatory, is delighted with the great interest in astronomical research in Tautenburg: “Around 1,400 visitors came to the Thuringian State Observatory for the Long Night of the Stars. We would like to thank them for coming and for their patience and understanding when it sometimes took a little longer before they could take a look through the telescopes.”
In June 2025 at the latest, the next exciting lectures on astronomy and guided tours will take place during the “Open Day”. The Thurinigian State Observatory also welcomes visitors for Guided Tours on every first Thursday of the month at 4 pm.
 Visitors on their way to the telescopes. Photo: TLS |
 Alexander Drabent explains observations with the radio telescope LOFAR. Photo: TLS |
 Live observations with the 2 meter telescope. Photo: TLS |
 Svenja und Nils Kretschmer read from their book „Bastian oder Wie man aus einer Ente eine Rakete baut“. Photo: TLS |