Frankfurt observatory
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Perched above the rooftops of the Bockenheim district, the Frankfurt observatory is run by the Physikalischer Verein, one of Germany's oldest scientific societies still opening its telescope to the public.
About Frankfurt observatory
The observatory belongs to the Physikalischer Verein, a scientific association founded in Frankfurt in 1824. It has offered Frankfurt residents a window onto the night sky for two centuries, moving to its current Bockenheim building in 1908.
History
The Physikalischer Verein itself dates to October 24, 1824, and the observatory relocated to a purpose-built home in Frankfurt-Bockenheim in 1908, where it still operates today.
Telescopes & research
The main instrument is a 10-inch equatorial refractor built by Carl Zeiss, used for public observing evenings and educational programmes for amateur astronomers rather than professional research.
Location & getting there
The observatory sits above the rooftops of Bockenheim in Frankfurt, Germany, within easy reach of the city centre by public transport.
Visiting Frankfurt observatory
The Physikalischer Verein regularly opens the observatory for public viewing and educational events, including rooftop open days; even under the city's light pollution, staff run demonstrations when clouds block direct observation. Check the official website for the current schedule before visiting.
See your named star from here
City skies can be bright, but the Zeiss telescope here is powerful enough that staff can still help locate specific coordinates on a clear night, including the position of a star you've named through Star Register. Bring your star's coordinates from our catalogue along to a public evening.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
