EXPO-Sternwarte Melle

In the rolling Wiehengebirge hills near Melle in Lower Saxony, Germany, EXPO-Sternwarte Melle is home to what is billed as the world's largest Newton telescope built specifically for public observation.

About EXPO-Sternwarte Melle

The observatory was founded on 3 June 2000, during Expo 2000, by the Astronomical Society Bochum/Melle, and built through community effort and local sponsorship. Its centrepiece is a Newton telescope with a 1.12-metre mirror diameter and 4.4-metre focal length, designed from the outset for visitors rather than research alone.

History

Opened to coincide with the Expo 2000 world exposition, the observatory has since become a fixture of astronomy outreach in the Osnabrück region, run through the ongoing efforts of the Astronomical Society Bochum/Melle.

Telescopes & research

Alongside its large Newton telescope, the observatory runs a regular programme of guided tours, lectures and workshops aimed at fostering STEM education among visitors of all ages.

Location & getting there

EXPO-Sternwarte Melle sits on Rattinghauser Weg near Melle, in the rural Wiehengebirge area of Lower Saxony, an area valued for its low light pollution. It's reachable via the A30 motorway's Melle-West exit, or by bus 305 from Melle railway station, and free parking is available on site.

Visiting EXPO-Sternwarte Melle

The observatory is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00 by appointment. Contact the observatory in advance via its official website to arrange a visit or tour.

See your named star from here

With one of the largest public-access Newton telescopes anywhere, EXPO-Sternwarte Melle is well equipped to help track down a named star once you know its coordinates. Look them up in our star catalogue before your visit.