Observatory - Planetarium SIRIUS

Sternwarte Sirius is an observatory and planetarium at Schwanden above Sigriswil, in the canton of Bern, run by the Stiftung Sternwarte Planetarium SIRIUS since it opened in October 2000. Perched at 1,075 metres, it combines a large research-grade telescope with a full planetarium dome open to the public.

About Sternwarte Sirius

Sternwarte Sirius, also known as Observatory-Planetarium SIRIUS, is owned and operated by the Stiftung Sternwarte Planetarium SIRIUS at Schwanden, above the village of Sigriswil in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. It sits at 1,075 metres, giving it clear, elevated views over the surrounding Bernese landscape.

History

The idea for the observatory was put forward in 1994 by Theo Gyrer, with academic backing from Professor Paul Wild, then director of the Bern Astronomical Institute. It opened to the public on 14 October 2000.

Telescopes & research

The facility houses a Ritchey-Chrétien-Cassegrain telescope with a 637 mm mirror - among the largest telescopes in Switzerland - alongside a Zeiss ZKP4 planetarium projector under an 8-metre dome seating 50 people. A Planet Trail, a walking path nearly 6 kilometres long, begins at the observatory and traces the solar system out to scale.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits at Schwanden above Sigriswil, in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, at 1,075 metres above sea level, with the Bernese countryside spread out below.

Visiting Sternwarte Sirius

Sternwarte Sirius is a public viewing facility; check its website for current opening times, planetarium show schedules and telescope viewing sessions before you visit, or call ahead.

See your named star from here

With a 637 mm telescope among the largest in the country, Sternwarte Sirius has real reach into the night sky - enough, in principle, to seek out the coordinates of a star named through Star Register. Name a star or browse the catalogue to find yours.