Home | Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy

The image shows the large white dish of the 100-meter Effelsberg radio telescope, which is clearly visible in the foreground.
The Effelsberg Radio Observatory is located in a valley with wooded slopes in the Eifel region. The telescope and a number of observatory buildings are also visible in the image. An almost cloudless blue sky stretches across the landscape.
The photo was taken in summer by Norbert Tacken, Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy.

Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy

Auf dem Hügel 69
D-53121 Bonn - Endenich

Research Departments

Fundamental Physics in Radio Astronomy
(Michael Kramer)

Radio astronomical measurements allow the study of a variety of questions in fundamental physics. Those questions range from the equation-of-state of super-dense matter to the investigation of fundamental forces such as gravity and magnetism.

Star Formation and Galaxy Evolution
(Amélie Saintonge)

Galaxies grow and evolve through successive episodes of star formation; central to this picture are therefore the flows of gas that feed the interstellar medium, the processes that regulate the formation of stars, and the energetic feedback that returns material and energy to the larger scale environment.

Radio Astronomy / VLBI
(Anton Zensus)

By employing radio-interferometry, extragalactic objects and their centres are investigated in great detail. The Very Long Base Line Interferometry (VLBI) method is applied by correlating data from telescopes distributed worldwide and using them as a “giant“ combined telescope within the framework of coordinated arrays as the the European VLBI network (EVN). In addition, global VLBI experiments are conducted in cooperation with telescopes in the USA.

Research News

A twinkling pulsar reveals invisible structures in space

May 13, 2026

Fluctuations in brightness and the elongated appearance of a stellar remnant indicate that its radiation is being scattered within an unidentified interstellar cloud located 430 light-years from Earth.

First Close Pair of Supermassive Black Holes Detected

April 07, 2026

At the center of the galaxy Markarian 501, there appears to be not just one supermassive black hole, but two. Radio observations over several years suggest that the duo could merge in as short as 100 years.

Announcements

How interstellar turbulence distorts radio light

May 13, 2026

An international research team, including scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, has directly observed how turbulence in the interstellar medium distorts the radio light from a distant object. These findings will enable sharper ...

Unraveling the Mass Mystery of Orion’s Young Stars

April 24, 2026

A star's mass determines its entire life story, from how it shines to how it dies. For young stars shrouded in dust, getting an accurate mass has long been difficult, but new radio measurements are beginning to change that.

Lead researcher Dr. Sergio ...

Job Offers

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