Facts

Even more than thirty years after its ceremonial opening in 1972 the Radio Telescope Effelsberg continues to attract national as well as international interest.

The telescope is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and serves as the “house” telescope of the MPIfR's scientific research projects. In addition, astronomers from all over the world use the radio telescope for their observing programs.

For the general public as well as for professional astronomers the radio telescope is just a fascinating instrument. Here, the blending of technology and engineering expertise can be admired and mankind’s dream of understanding the universe is closer than ever.

On site

The webcam shows the 100m-radio telescope from a distance of about 150 metres. It is located right at the visitor centre. The transmitted picture is updated every 30 seconds.

Unique - Europe's most efficient radio telescope is located near Bad Münstereifel

Since 1972, the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfR) has used the 100-m radio telescope Effelsberg next to Bad Münstereifel to observe scenes from outer space that trigger the imagination as much as any Hollywood film.

The radio telescope erected on the Effelsberg valley near Bad Münstereifel counts among Europe's most efficient telescopes. The enormous surface of the antenna (about 7,850 square metres) is crucial for detecting extremely weak radio signals. With its large diameter of 100 metres the telescope reaches a comparably high angular resolution. It has a steel construction which weighs 3,200 tons in total. It takes twelve minutes to rotate the telescope's parabolic reflector around by 360 degrees, and in about six minutes the telescope can change its elevation angle by 90 degrees. This guarantees that the whole sky above the horizon is accessible to the telescope.

Visitors come from all over the world

Since its completion in 1972, the radio telescope has attracted many visitors from all over the world. The visitor centre near the Radio Telescope Effelsberg offers slide shows and presentations on a regular basis.

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