Zweibrücken Observatory

Zweibrücken Observatory, known in German as the Volkssternwarte Zweibrücken, is a public observatory in Zweibrücken, Germany, instantly recognisable for its Star Wars-themed dome.

About Zweibrücken Observatory

The observatory sits on the campus of the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern in Zweibrücken, at an elevation of 321 metres. It is run as a public observatory, welcoming visitors to view the night sky through its instruments.

History

Its dome was erected in 2002. In 2018, Professor Hubert Zitt and his team painted the dome to resemble R2-D2, the Star Wars droid, turning the observatory into a well-known local landmark.

Telescopes & research

Zweibrücken Observatory is equipped with a Celestron C14 optical telescope, with a 14-inch (36 cm) aperture, alongside a Coronado SolarMax solar telescope for safely observing the Sun.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located on the university campus in Zweibrücken, in southwestern Germany, at 321 metres above sea level.

Visiting Zweibrücken Observatory

Check the observatory's website for current public opening hours and event schedules before visiting, as a public observatory of this kind, its programme can vary seasonally.

See your named star from here

Whether you come for the R2-D2 dome or the night sky itself, the C14 telescope here can be pointed at the same coordinates that mark a named star. Browse the star catalogue to see how it works.