Bochum Observatory

The observatory in Bochum ( in Bochum as " Cape Kaminski " known ) is a device created by private initiative in Bochum, North Rhine -Westphalia. The focus is on radio astronomy and environmental research.

History and tasks

In 1946, Heinz Kaminski, the Bochum observatory as Volkssternwarte the community college. From this in 1957 by the launch of the first artificial Earth satellite - Sputnik 1, the signals were received in Bochum - the Institute for Space Research / Bochum observatory. It was renamed in 1982 to the Institute for the Environment and Future Research ( International Office ). Among the new tasks, to deal with socio-political and global environmental issues is one. It is a recognized and funded further education institution of the state North Rhine -Westphalia. His educational work is sponsored by the Center for Political Education at the Ministry of Economy and Labour of the State of North Rhine -Westphalia.

Heinz Kaminski appointed in 1999 Thilo Elsner his successor. Thilo Elsner since February 1995 at the Bochum observatory and has contributed significantly to the preservation and reconstruction of the associated radome at the Institute site in the Bochum district Sundern. The information carried by compressed air radar dome was collapsed in October 1999, after a larger hole due to a tear in the polyester skin. 2002 died Heinz Kaminski.

2007 celebrated its 60th anniversary in the Bochum observatory.

In March 2009, radio amateurs have received at the Bochum observatory with its 20m parabolic antenna signals from Venus ( Earth - Venus - Earth connection). Thus, it is the first time to receive in Germany, the echo of another planet. The American space agency NASA has now asking for help and will continue to send data to Bochum -Sundern.

Equipment

The Institute now has multiple antenna systems to receive data from geostationary and earth-orbiting satellites and interplanetary spacecraft. The development of astronomical and environmental policy and thus society-related priorities is encouraged and continuing brought closer to the citizens. This is done by a " Mobile Observatory ", which consists among other things of a high-resolution satellite receiving system. Profit recognized, the Institute since 1990, works as a means of political education of the State of North Rhine -Westphalia for the people of the district.

The largest building of the International Office is the radome. It is a 40 meter high inflatable dome that protects a 20 m wide parabolic antenna from the elements. The antenna has a total weight of 220 tons and has both the possibilities of data reception, as well as data sending. Since a complete improvement of the system, this has a positioning accuracy of about 1/ 1000 degrees and is thus prepared for the planned Mars mission AMSAT P5A, which is partially co-controlled by the IUZ Bochum. In addition, the object 1000 square designed exhibition space and an auditorium for 160 people is home.

Permanent exhibition

Cosmos, Communism, Cold War - Sputnik 50: The history of space into two political systems is the exhibition at the Radom Bochum observatory, funded by the German Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED dictatorship. It documents the events of the race of the systems in space from the first receipt of the Sputnik signals 1957 to today: " The public observatory in Bochum, one of the few facilities that could pick up this signal as the first, became the Space News space in West Germany. At this historic site of a special exhibition space has been created, with numerous exhibits, collected from all over Germany, documented the exploitation of space. "

Others

The Freiburg band Personable Excavator has named a song after the observatory.