astronomical observatory Manfred von Ardenne
Image: Wikimedia Commons
The astronomical observatory known as Sternwarte Manfred von Ardenne is a heritage building in the Weißer Hirsch district of Dresden, Germany.
About the Observatory
The observatory was built in 1956 on the property of astronomy enthusiast Manfred von Ardenne, at Plattleite 27 in Dresden, and was made publicly accessible as a Volkssternwarte, or people's observatory.
History
Von Ardenne equipped the site with a refractor telescope featuring an achromat lens for correcting colour error, with a focal ratio of 1:15, originally driven by a mechanical hour drive. The observatory closed in 1997 for restoration and reopened to the public on 20 November 2007 after a ten-year restoration project; during that work, the original mechanical drive was replaced with an electronic stepper motor.
Location & getting there
The observatory sits in Weißer Hirsch, a leafy district on the eastern edge of Dresden known for its villas and hillside setting above the Elbe valley.
Visiting the Observatory
As a restored public observatory, it welcomes visitors; check locally for current opening times and any scheduled public observing sessions before you go.
See your named star from here
Restored and reopened after a decade of work, this observatory's refractor can still be aimed at the same coordinates that mark a named star. Explore the star catalogue to see examples.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
