Open Day at Effelsberg Radio Observatory

Saturday, September 09, 2017, 10 am to 5 pm, Max-Planck-Straße, 53902 Bad Münstereifel-Effelsberg

August 31, 2017

The Effelsberg Radio Observatory, home of the giant 100 m Radio Telescope of the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfR), celebrates its next Open Day on Saturday, September 09, 2017, from 10 am to 5 pm. The Open Day provides an excellent opportunity to see the radio observatory from inside and even access the first platform of the 100 m telescope 20 metres above ground.

The Effelsberg Radio Telescope is in full operation for 45 years now and still the largest fully steerable radio telescope in Europe. Protected against radio frequency interference (RFI), it is based in a valley near Bad Münstereifel-Effelsberg, about 40 kilometres southwest of Bonn. The observatory also hosts a station of the International LOFAR Telescope, a European network for radio observations at metre wavelengths. The radio telescope was recently featured in a documentary in WDR TV. Entitled “Als wir nach den Sternen griffen – 1972”, it is the third part of a series on the 1970s (“Die 70er Jahre”).

The 100 m Effelsberg Radio Telescope with dipoles of the International LOFAR Telescope in the foreground. The (red-coloured) engines of the elevation drive can be seen at the elevation platform 20 metres above ground. At the Open Day the elevation platform is accessible for small groups of interested visitors. The photo shown here is available in A1 poster size within the new edition of the Effelsberg brochure (“Faltblatt”).

© Norbert Tacken/MPIfR

The 100 m Effelsberg Radio Telescope with dipoles of the International LOFAR Telescope in the foreground. The (red-coloured) engines of the elevation drive can be seen at the elevation platform 20 metres above ground. At the Open Day the elevation platform is accessible for small groups of interested visitors. The photo shown here is available in A1 poster size within the new edition of the Effelsberg brochure (“Faltblatt”).

© Norbert Tacken/MPIfR

At the Open Day everyone is welcome to visit the observatory, see the control room where the observations are supervised and also have a close view onto the 100-m Radio Telescope.

There is no entrance fee and no registration required for the Open Day.

When: Saturday, September 09, 2017, 10 am to 5 pm

Where: Effelsberg Radio Observatory, Max-Planck-Straße, 53902 Bad Münstereifel (please follow the guidance in the two small villages Lethert and/or Effelsberg)

What: Open Day at Effelsberg Radio Observatory

Open Day Poster: TDOT2017 (PDF file, 1.2 MB, in German)

Our programme for the Open Day provides an overview about the scientific work of the institute, there will be a number of scientists present to report on their work.

The activities at the observatory include live observations of radio waves with the 100 m radio telescope and a small 4 m dish, the presentation of equipment in the workshop and a number of technical and scientific presentations (programme of scientific talks see below).

A highlight will be the occasion to access the first level (elevation platform) of the 100 m radio telescope at 20 metres above ground (there could be some waiting time because of the demand). There are some preconditions for accessing the elevation platform: good footwear, good health condition and no problems with vertigo. This part of the programme is not suitable for small kids

Some of the programme items are particularly suitable for school kids:

- Setup (solding) of a small electronic circuit

- Crafting telescope models and sundials

- Movie presentations (2D and 3D) at the visitors’ pavilion

Snacks and drinks will be on sale. A jumping castle for smaller kids will also be on site.

The area of the radio observatory can be reached on foot from the visitor’ parking lot. For handicapped persons we shall also have a shuttle bus service.

We would like to invite you to visit us at Effelsberg Radio Observatory on the Open Day for an impression of the telescope itself (with 100 metres in diameter and a total weight of 3200 tonnes!), but also of the work of the astronomers on site.

Open Day Poster: the 100 m radio telescope in maximum tilted position, seen from the visitors’ pavilion. On September 09, the area of the observatory will be accessible via two different foot paths, both starting at the pavilion: 1) road to the main entrance; 2) zigzag path to the viewing spot and further on to the back entrance near the LOFAR field.

© Norbert Junkes/MPIfR

Open Day Poster: the 100 m radio telescope in maximum tilted position, seen from the visitors’ pavilion. On September 09, the area of the observatory will be accessible via two different foot paths, both starting at the pavilion: 1) road to the main entrance; 2) zigzag path to the viewing spot and further on to the back entrance near the LOFAR field.

© Norbert Junkes/MPIfR

Talks in the Lecture Theater (in German, about 25 minutes each):

10:30 am: T. Krichbaum: Millionen-facher Zoom ins Herz unserer Galaxie

11:15 am: N. Wex: 50 Jahre Pulsare, 50 Jahre kosmische Uhren für Einstein

12:00 am: F. Wyrowski: Sternentstehung in der Milchstraße

01:00 pm: A. Horneffer: LOFAR – ein neues, elektronisches Radioteleskop

01:45 pm: S. Britzen: Schwarze Löcher - Beobachtungen eines "unsichtbaren" Phänomens

02:30 pm: M. Stöckler: Philosophische Gedanken über den Anfang der Welt

03:15 pm: L. Spitler: Schnelle Radioausbrüche – ein neues Phänomen

04:00 pm: V. Thiel: Das Interstellare Medium - Was befindet sich zwischen den Sternen?