Johannes-Kepler observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
The Johannes-Kepler observatory stands near Empfingen in Germany's northern Black Forest, a facility of the German Aerospace Center dedicated to a very modern astronomical problem: space debris.
About Johannes-Kepler observatory
Operated by DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt), the observatory is housed in a 15-metre-high circular domed building. It was commissioned in autumn 2021 and officially inaugurated on 20 July 2022, and it is described as a unique facility of its kind in Europe.
Telescopes & research
The observatory's main instrument is a 1.75-metre optical telescope with a large receiving aperture, used alongside laser measurement to detect and precisely track space debris objects in low Earth orbit, including small pieces in the 10–100cm range. The data it gathers provides precise orbit determination, shape information, and rotational behaviour to support collision-avoidance efforts.
Location & getting there
The site lies near Empfingen, south of Stuttgart, in the northern Black Forest region of Germany.
Visiting Johannes-Kepler observatory
As a specialised space-debris research facility operated by DLR, it is not set up as a general public visitor attraction. Check the official DLR website for any public information or event access before planning a trip.
See your named star from here
The same principle that lets this observatory track a fast-moving piece of debris lets any telescope find a fixed point in the sky, including the coordinates of a named star. Explore the star catalogue to find a star's exact position.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
