Nonndorf observatory

Nonndorf observatory is a small astronomy station tucked into the rolling Waldviertel countryside of Lower Austria. It belongs to a network of privately run stations that quietly contribute real data to international astronomy.

About Nonndorf observatory

The station is registered with the Minor Planet Center, the international clearinghouse that collects positional measurements of asteroids and comets from observatories worldwide. It is run by astronomer Gerhard Dangl, who documents his work on the site's own website, dangl.at.

Location & getting there

Nonndorf sits in the Waldviertel ("Woodquarter"), a hilly, forested part of Lower Austria known for its dark, low-light-pollution skies — one reason it suits precise asteroid and comet measurements.

Visiting Nonndorf observatory

As a working research station rather than a public visitor centre, Nonndorf does not keep published opening hours. Anyone hoping to see it should check the operator's website or get in touch before travelling.

See your named star from here

Every star named through Star Register comes with exact coordinates, so once you know a star's right ascension and declination, any telescope capable of reaching those coordinates can be pointed at it — including from a dark-sky region like the Waldviertel. Browse the options at /#packages or look up a star already on record in the catalogue.