Drebach Observatory
Image: Wikimedia Commons
High in the Ore Mountains of Saxony, Germany, Drebach Observatory pairs a public planetarium with a working astronomical telescope.
About Drebach Observatory
Officially known as the Zeiss Observatory Drebach (formerly the Drebach Popular Observatory), the site is owned and operated by the municipality of Drebach and carries the observatory code 113. It sits at an elevation of 492 metres.
History
The observatory was founded in 1969 and has operated as a Volkssternwarte, or public observatory, ever since, combining astronomy outreach with municipal ownership.
Telescopes & research
Its planetarium uses a ZKP-3 Skymaster Zeiss projector for star shows, while the observatory itself is equipped with a 50-centimetre Cassegrain reflector for direct viewing of the night sky.
Location & getting there
Drebach Observatory is located in the municipality of Drebach, Saxony, in the Ore Mountains of Germany, at 492 metres elevation.
Visiting Drebach Observatory
The observatory runs public programmes and star shows on a scheduled basis; check the official website or call ahead for current times before visiting.
See your named star from here
With its own reflector and a planetarium built for public stargazing, Drebach Observatory is a natural place to look for a named star. Name yours at /#packages, then check its position in the star catalogue before your visit.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check the official website and Google Maps for current times before you travel.