Alois Purgathofer

Alois Purgathofer ( born February 18, 1925 in Bruck an der Mur, † 13 March 1984 Calar Alto, Spain), researched and taught - apart from a few extended stays abroad - from 1954 to 1984 at the Vienna University Observatory, since 1968 as a university lecturer and since in 1974 as associate professor. He worked mainly on the photometry of galactic star clusters, but also the minor planet (51 ) Nemausa. In 1969 was the Leopold Figl Observatory built under its relevant technical and sky known comprehensive care with the 1.5 m Ritchey- Chretien telescope at Mitterschöpfl. His instrument knowledge particularly in the field of optics, electronics and image converters were second to none. On 13 March 1984 Alois Purgathofer died unexpectedly during a mission.

In his honor, named Rudolf Pressberger his self- built observatory in Klosterneuburg - Kierling " Purgathofer Observatory " ( it has the second largest telescope mirrors Austria ) and it was also the asteroid ( 5341 ) Purgathofer baptized.