Volkssternwarte Drebach
To Volkssternwarte Drebach include the Zeiss Planetarium and the Astronomical Observatory. The device is a non-profit cultural and educational institution of community Drebach and is supported in its work by a development association. The observatory is located in the center of Drebach. In the immediate vicinity of the device, the primary school " David Rebentrost " and the sports field.
The Zeiss - Planetarium in Germany Drebach is the only one of its kind, located in rural areas.
The observatory is run by the International Astronomical Union (IAU ) below the station code 113.
History
The Public Observatory Drebach emerged from a school observatory, which was opened on 3 July 1969 at the high school grounds Drebach. The Observatories founder, Mr. Karl Heinz Müller, led this institution from 1969 to 1984 in volunteerism. In 1974, the school observatory was extended by a second monitoring station. In addition to its use as a school observatory regular observation evenings, lectures and astronomical youth camp took place.
In the years 1984-1986 a new observatory building could be constructed with a planetarium in rush hour activity. On June 1, 1986, the inauguration of this new facility was held. The focus of future work, the public relations stand by weather- independent events in the planetarium. Every year, counted the facility 10,000 to 12,000 visitors. In an 8 - m- projection dome was a Zeiss - Planetarium type SCC -1 in use, which was replaced in 1989 by a SCC -2 projector. In 1992, a weather satellite receiving system went into operation in order to receive current weather pictures from space. The observatory was expanded in 1997 through a 50 - cm reflecting telescope, which is in a newly built observation dome.
Between 2000 and 2001, the construction of a larger planetarium with a 11- m- projection dome, which was officially opened on 11 August 2001,. Since then, the number of visitors to the facility have doubled. In December 2003, the company Carl Zeiss Jena awarded the honorary title Zeiss - Planetarium, are allowed to wear only a few facilities worldwide.
Zeiss Planetarium
The Zeiss Planetarium Drebach offers different programs for small and large stargazers. Stargazers from four years to travel to the moon in the star fairy tale Little Peter Moon ride. For larger stargazers, the family events offer which are suitable for adults and children over nine years.
As a Zeiss planetarium star projector type is used SCC -3 Skymaster. Various additional projectors provide inter alia for 360 - degree panoramas and 190 -square-foot full-dome images.
Observatory
The main instrument is a 50 -inch Cassegrain reflecting telescope in a 4 meter dome. In two other observation stations further lenses and reflecting telescopes are permanently installed.
Friends of
Since 1994 the establishment of the Friends of the Public Observatory Drebach eV is supported. The club has 41 members (as of 01 /2008) of all ages. The Association performs the regular public observing evenings and special events support the facility, such as the annual " Observatories Festival" in September.
Research
In addition to public observation nights, the telescopes are also used by the members of the association. One focus of the observer activity lies in the observation of minor planets. In the observatory 125 minor planets (as of 02/ 2012) were discovered. Some of these Drebacher minor planets already carry official IAU name as Stülpner, Fichtelbergbahn, SigmundJähn, August Horch or white log.
National and international meeting
The Public Observatory Drebach was already several times meeting of the Section " minor planets " of the Association of Friends star eV with participants from different European countries. In 2008, the International Symposium ESOP (European Symposium on Occultation Projects) was performed on occultations. In 2011, the research group " spectroscopy " of the Association of astronomers met eV in the institution's premises.