Hohenpeißenberg Meteorological Observatory

The Hohenpeißenberg Meteorological Observatory sits atop the Hohenpeißenberg mountain in Bavaria, Germany, about 60 kilometres southwest of Munich, and holds the record as the world's oldest mountain weather station.

About Hohenpeißenberg Meteorological Observatory

Perched at 977 metres above sea level, the observatory has collected meteorological data continuously since 1781, producing one of the longest unbroken measurement series anywhere in the world. Because it sits well above the surrounding towns, its record has never been distorted by the urban heat island effects that complicate comparably long series from cities like Basel and Prague.

History

Measurements began in 1781, and more than two centuries later the station is still in continuous operation, now run by the Deutscher Wetterdienst, Germany's national meteorological service, which also enrols it in the World Meteorological Organization's Global Atmosphere Watch programme.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits high above the Bavarian countryside on the Hohenpeißenberg, roughly an hour's drive southwest of Munich, in a rural, elevated setting that has kept its long-running instruments clear of city interference.

Visiting Hohenpeißenberg Meteorological Observatory

As a working meteorological station rather than a visitor attraction, check the Deutscher Wetterdienst's official channels for any public tours or open days before planning a trip.

See your named star from here

Hohenpeißenberg's instruments are tuned to the atmosphere rather than the stars, but its elevated, rural position, well away from Munich's light pollution, still makes for a promising spot to look up and find a named star; check its coordinates in our catalogue before an evening visit.