Lübeck observatory

Lübeck observatory is a working amateur astronomy site in northern Germany, run by a local club that has offered public stargazing nights for decades. Its current home is a school in southern Lübeck, under a dome built for a large astrograph telescope.

About Lübeck observatory

The Lübeck observatory (Sternwarte Lübeck) is operated by the volunteer association Arbeitskreis Sternfreunde Lübeck e.V., a club of amateur astronomers based in the Hanseatic city of Lübeck in northern Germany. Sitting at around 10 metres above sea level, close to the Baltic coastal plain, it serves as both a research post for members and a public outreach venue.

History

The club's original observatory, at the Johannes-Kepler-Schule, closed at the end of 2016 when the site was redeveloped for housing. It relocated to its current home at the Schule Grönauer Baum in the south of the city, where it built a new observation tower with a modern dome.

Telescopes & research

The dome houses a 20-inch astrograph telescope, a substantial instrument by amateur standards, used by club members for imaging and observation programmes.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits at the Schule Grönauer Baum in southern Lübeck, Germany, easily reached from within the city.

Visiting Lübeck observatory

The club opens the observatory for free public viewing on Friday evenings at 21:00 between September and March; no admission fee is charged, though it is worth confirming dates directly with the club before travelling, as sessions depend on clear skies.

See your named star from here

With a 20-inch telescope on site, Lübeck observatory has the kind of aperture that can pick out much fainter stars than the naked eye ever could. If you've named a star through Star Register, its right ascension and declination are ready to hand to club members on a viewing night - just bring your certificate. Check your star's coordinates any time in the star catalogue.