Dr. Norbert Junkes
Radio Astronomy at Effelsberg: Implications on Public Outreach
The development of radio astronomy in Germany in the last forty years is
closely connected with the
Effelsberg 100m radio telescope
of the
Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy.
The telescope was built between 1968 and 1971 and performs radio observations in a wide wavelength range between 70 cm and 3 mm.
Public outreach activities have played an important role almost from the
beginning. The
visitors program
takes place in a pavilion in the direct
neighbourhood of the giant dish. Thousands of visitors per year attend the
talks presented in the pavilion. They range from first year school classes
(even the occasional Kindergarten group) to students of astrophysics,
from coffee table excursions to interested engineers.
I shall report on our experience with the visitors program, and also on our two
"Astronomy Walks" established in the vicinity of the Effelsberg telescope, the
Planetary Walk and the
"Milky Way Path".
Biographical Notes:
Dr.
Norbert Junkes
studied Physics and Astronomy at Bonn University from 1979 to 1986
(diploma degree in 1986) and completed his doctoral degree in 1989
(dissertation work at Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie,
MPIfR).
Postdoc work led him to Sydney
(Australia Telescope National
Facility, 1989/90), Kiel
(Institut für
Theoretische Physik und Astrophysik, 1991-1995)
and to Potsdam
(Astrophysikalisches Institut Potsdam,
1995-1998). Since February 1998 he ist back at MPIfR,
working in the field of
Public Outreach.
Last modified on Wednesday March 25th, 2009.
Norbert Junkes (njunkes@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de)