Reintal observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Deep in the Reintal valley of the Wetterstein Massif, in the German Alps, the site listed here is a scientific monitoring station rather than a stargazing observatory.
About the Reintal site
Since 2014, the site has been run by the Geomorphology Section of GFZ Potsdam, Germany's national research centre for geosciences, to monitor rockfall activity in the surrounding mountains. Its equipment includes six seismic stations, optical and infrared cameras, and two weather stations, all focused on tracking geological rather than astronomical activity.
Location & getting there
The Reintal is a valley within the Wetterstein Massif in the German Alps, a dramatic high-mountain landscape near the border with Austria.
Visiting the Reintal site
This is a scientific research installation rather than a public observatory, and it has no visitor facilities or opening hours. Anyone interested in the wider Wetterstein area should look into hiking access to the Reintal valley, which is popular with alpine walkers.
See your named star from here
The Alpine skies above the Reintal, far from city lights, are a spectacular place to look for a star of your own. Name a star and use its coordinates from the catalogue to try to find it overhead.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
