Hamburg-Bergedorf Observatory
Encyclopedia
Hamburger Sternwarte is an astronomical
observatory
located in the Bergedorf
borough of the city of Hamburg in northern Germany. It is owned and operated by the University of Hamburg
, Germany
since 1968, although it was founded in 1825 by the City of Hamburg and moved to its present location in 1912. It has operated telescopes at Bergedorf, but also at two previous locations in Hamburg, at other observatories around the world, and also supported space missions.
The precursor of Hamburg observatory was a private observatory by Johann Georg Repsold
built in 1802, originally located at the Stintfang in Hamburg. It started in 1803 with a meridian circle
built by Repsold in 1808.
However, it was destroyed by the French troops in 1811. Repsold, Reinke, and J.C. von Hess submitted a proposal to Hamburg for city observatory that same year, to rebuild.
at Millerntor (1825–1906)
Funding for a new Observatory was approved in August 1821, on the condition J. G. Repsold built the instruments. The new observatory was completed in 1825 next to the Millerntor. However, in 1830 Repsold died while fighting a fire (he was also a Hamburg fireman) and the City of Hamburg voted to take over and continue running the observatory in 1833. First director became Charles Rümker
who har accompanied Thomas Brisbane
to build the first Australian observatory at Parramatta. Christian August Friedrich Peters
became assistant director in 1834. In 1856 Rümker's son George
became director of the observatory.
In 1876 funding was received by 'The Equatorial' a 27 cm (10.6 inch) refractor (later moved to Bergedorf).
After the move to Bergedorf, the site was partially demolished and rebuilt into the Museum of Hamburg History (Hamburgmuseum
/ Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte).
at Bergedorf (1912– )
Because of the increasing light pollution
, in 1906 it was decided to move the observatory to Bergedorf. In 1909 the first instruments were moved there, and in 1912 the new observatory was officially dedicated.
The European Southern Observatory
was founded at Bergedorf in 1962.
The Hamburg 1m Reflector (39 in/100 cm objective aperture) was the world's fourth largest reflector when it began operations in 1911. Catalogs include the AGK3-Sternkatalog (completed over 1956-1964)
In 1968 the observatory became part of Hamburg University. In 1979 a small museum to Bernard Schmidt was inaugurated.
Offsite telescopes
Bernhard Schmidt
, inventor of the Schmidt camera
worked at the Observatory including making telescopes, instruments, and observations starting in 1916. Walter Baade
successfully petitioned the Hamburg senate to have Schmidt camera installed in 1937, and it was completed in 1954 after work re-started on in 1951 after being interrupted by WWII. Walter Baade also succeeded in having a Schmidt camera built at Mount Wilson Observatory
in California.
Dr. Kasimir Graf made many observations at Hamburg until he left for the Vienna Observatory
in 1928.
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
observatory
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
located in the Bergedorf
Bergedorf
Bergedorf is the largest of the seven boroughs of Hamburg, Germany and a quarter within this borough. In 2006 the population of the borough was 118,942.-History:...
borough of the city of Hamburg in northern Germany. It is owned and operated by the University of Hamburg
University of Hamburg
The University of Hamburg is a university in Hamburg, Germany. It was founded on 28 March 1919 by Wilhelm Stern and others. It grew out of the previous Allgemeines Vorlesungswesen and the Kolonialinstitut as well as the Akademisches Gymnasium. There are around 38,000 students as of the start of...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
since 1968, although it was founded in 1825 by the City of Hamburg and moved to its present location in 1912. It has operated telescopes at Bergedorf, but also at two previous locations in Hamburg, at other observatories around the world, and also supported space missions.
History
at Stintfang (1802–1811)The precursor of Hamburg observatory was a private observatory by Johann Georg Repsold
Johann Georg Repsold
Johann Georg Repsold was a German astronomer.He joined the fire brigade of Hamburg in 1799. In 1802 he began building a private observatory, and collaborated in astronomical observations with Heinrich Christian Schumacher. However the observatory was destroyed in the Napoleonic Wars in 1811...
built in 1802, originally located at the Stintfang in Hamburg. It started in 1803 with a meridian circle
Meridian circle
The meridian circle, transit circle, or transit telescope is an instrument for observing the time of stars passing the meridian, at the same time measuring its angular distance from the zenith...
built by Repsold in 1808.
However, it was destroyed by the French troops in 1811. Repsold, Reinke, and J.C. von Hess submitted a proposal to Hamburg for city observatory that same year, to rebuild.
at Millerntor (1825–1906)
Funding for a new Observatory was approved in August 1821, on the condition J. G. Repsold built the instruments. The new observatory was completed in 1825 next to the Millerntor. However, in 1830 Repsold died while fighting a fire (he was also a Hamburg fireman) and the City of Hamburg voted to take over and continue running the observatory in 1833. First director became Charles Rümker
Carl Ludwig Christian Rümker
Carl Ludwig Christian Rümker was a German astronomer. In German, his name is spelt Karl Ludwig Christian Rümker; he was also known as Charles Rümker, Charles Rumker, Charles Luis Rumker, Christian Carl Ludwig Rümker and Dr...
who har accompanied Thomas Brisbane
Thomas Brisbane
Major-General Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, 1st Baronet GCH, GCB, FRS, FRSE was a British soldier, colonial Governor and astronomer.-Early life:...
to build the first Australian observatory at Parramatta. Christian August Friedrich Peters
Christian August Friedrich Peters
Christian August Friedrich Peters was a German astronomer. He was the father of astronomer Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Peters.He was born in Hamburg and died in Kiel....
became assistant director in 1834. In 1856 Rümker's son George
Georg Friedrich Wilhelm Rümker
Georg Friedrich Wilhelm Rümker was a German astronomerBorn at Hamburg, he was the son of Carl Ludwig Christian Rümker. He was astronomer at the observatory at Durham, England, from 1853 to 1856. He then became assistant at the Hamburger Sternwarte , then located at Stadtwall, and in 1862 was...
became director of the observatory.
In 1876 funding was received by 'The Equatorial' a 27 cm (10.6 inch) refractor (later moved to Bergedorf).
After the move to Bergedorf, the site was partially demolished and rebuilt into the Museum of Hamburg History (Hamburgmuseum
Hamburgmuseum
The hamburgmuseum , also known as Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte , is a history museum located in the city of Hamburg in northern Germany. The museum was established at its current location in 1922, although its parent organization was started in 1839. The museum was named hamburgmuseum in 2006...
/ Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte).
at Bergedorf (1912– )
Because of the increasing light pollution
Light pollution
Light pollution, also known as photopollution or luminous pollution, is excessive or obtrusive artificial light.The International Dark-Sky Association defines light pollution as:...
, in 1906 it was decided to move the observatory to Bergedorf. In 1909 the first instruments were moved there, and in 1912 the new observatory was officially dedicated.
The European Southern Observatory
European Southern Observatory
The European Southern Observatory is an intergovernmental research organisation for astronomy, supported by fifteen countries...
was founded at Bergedorf in 1962.
The Hamburg 1m Reflector (39 in/100 cm objective aperture) was the world's fourth largest reflector when it began operations in 1911. Catalogs include the AGK3-Sternkatalog (completed over 1956-1964)
In 1968 the observatory became part of Hamburg University. In 1979 a small museum to Bernard Schmidt was inaugurated.
Telescopes
Telescopes- The Great Refractor, a great refractorGreat refractorGreat refractor refers to a large telescope with a lens, usually the largest refractor at an observatory with an equatorial mount. The preeminence and success of this style in observational astronomy was an era in telescope use in the 19th and early 20th century. Great refractors were large...
telescope with an objective diameter (60 cm) and focal length (9 m). By Repsold, and with optics from Steinheil. - The Equatorial, a refractor with aperture of 26 cm and focal length. Built in 1870s and moved to Bergedorf.
- Salvador Mirror, a CassegrainCassegrain reflectorThe Cassegrain reflector is a combination of a primary concave mirror and a secondary convex mirror, often used in optical telescopes and radio antennas....
with 8 m focal length and 40 cm mirror. - The Meridian Circle, a meridian circleMeridian circleThe meridian circle, transit circle, or transit telescope is an instrument for observing the time of stars passing the meridian, at the same time measuring its angular distance from the zenith...
built in 1907. (by A. Repsold & Söhne) - Lippert Telescope, three astrographs refractors on one mount. Built by Carl ZeissCarl ZeissCarl Zeiss was a German maker of optical instruments commonly known for the company he founded, Carl Zeiss Jena . Zeiss made contributions to lens manufacturing that have aided the modern production of lenses...
, funded by Eduard Lippert - 1 Meter Reflector Telescope, activated in 1911. By Carl ZeissCarl ZeissCarl Zeiss was a German maker of optical instruments commonly known for the company he founded, Carl Zeiss Jena . Zeiss made contributions to lens manufacturing that have aided the modern production of lenses...
. The largest telescope in Germany from 1911 to 1920 - Astrograph, with 8.5 cm objective, focal length 2.06 m. Built in 1924.
- Schmidtspiegel, the first Schmidt telescope by Bernhard Schmidt. Now part of a Schmidt Museum
- Photographic refractor (Zonenastrograph), an instrument funded by the Deutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftDeutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftThe Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft is an important German research funding organization and the largest such organization in Europe.-Function:...
(DFG) in 1973. 23 cm diameter aperture and 205.3 cm focal length. It was built by Carl Zeiss Oberkochen. - Oskar-Lühning Telescope, s Ritchey-Chretien with 1.20 m aperture diameter and a focal length of 15.60m in the Cassegrain focus. Built in 1975 and refurbished as robotic telescopeRobotic telescopeA robotic telescope is an astronomical telescope and detector system that makes observations without the intervention of a human. In astronomical disciplines, a telescope qualifies as robotic if it makes those observations without being operated by a human, even if a human has to initiate the...
in 2001. - A planned large Schmidt telescope was finished in 1954 and moved to Calar Alto ObservatoryCalar Alto ObservatoryThe Calar Alto Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated jointly by the Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie in Heidelberg, Germany, and the Instituto...
in 1976, with the Oskar-Lühning taking over its spot in the Observatory. - Hamburg Robotic Telescope (HRT), tested in 2002 and online in 2005. by Halfmann TeleskoptechnikHalfmann TeleskoptechnikHalfmann Teleskoptechnik is a German based manufacturer of professional robotic telescopes. Halfmann Telescopes have been delivered worldwide for several projects.-Origins and History:...
Offsite telescopes
- In 1968 a 38 cm reflector was setup by the Hamburg Observatory at Stephanion Observatory in GreeceGreeceGreece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. - The aforementioned Schmidt was moved to Calar Alto ObservatoryCalar Alto ObservatoryThe Calar Alto Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated jointly by the Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie in Heidelberg, Germany, and the Instituto...
in 1976. Some work was done with data from EffelsbergEffelsbergThe Effelsberg 100-m Radio Telescope is a radio telescope in the Ahrgebirge in Bad Münstereifel, district of Euskirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.- Geography :... - The HRT telescope is planned to be installed on the Spanish island of TenerifeTenerifeTenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
in the Atlantic OceanAtlantic OceanThe Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
People of Hamburg Observatory
Directors of the Observatory- Johann Georg RepsoldJohann Georg RepsoldJohann Georg Repsold was a German astronomer.He joined the fire brigade of Hamburg in 1799. In 1802 he began building a private observatory, and collaborated in astronomical observations with Heinrich Christian Schumacher. However the observatory was destroyed in the Napoleonic Wars in 1811...
(from 1802–1830) - Christian Karl Ludwig Rümker (director from 1833–1857)
- George Rümker (director from 1857–1900)
- Richard SchorrRichard SchorrRichard Reinhard Emil Schorr , was an astronomer. The lunar crater Schorr and the asteroid 1235 Schorria are named after him....
(1900–1941) - Otto HeckmannOtto HeckmannOtto Hermann Leopold Heckmann was a German astronomer.He directed the Hamburg Observatory from 1941 to 1962, after which he became the first director of the European Southern Observatory. , Otto Heckmann He actively contributed to the creation of the third issue of the Astronomische Gesellschaft...
(1941–1968) 1962 became 1st head of the newly formed European Southern ObservatoryEuropean Southern ObservatoryThe European Southern Observatory is an intergovernmental research organisation for astronomy, supported by fifteen countries... - Alfred Behr (1968–1979)
- Co-Director with Behr: Alfred Weigert (1969-1991?)
Bernhard Schmidt
Bernhard Schmidt
Bernhard Woldemar Schmidt was a German optician. In 1930 he invented the Schmidt telescope which corrected for the optical errors of spherical aberration, coma, and astigmatism, making possible for the first time the construction of very large, wide-angled reflective cameras of short exposure time...
, inventor of the Schmidt camera
Schmidt camera
A Schmidt camera, also referred to as the Schmidt telescope, is a catadioptric astrophotographic telescope designed to provide wide fields of view with limited aberrations. Other similar designs are the Wright Camera and Lurie-Houghton telescope....
worked at the Observatory including making telescopes, instruments, and observations starting in 1916. Walter Baade
Walter Baade
Wilhelm Heinrich Walter Baade was a German astronomer who worked in the USA from 1931 to 1959.-Biography:He took advantage of wartime blackout conditions during World War II, which reduced light pollution at Mount Wilson Observatory, to resolve stars in the center of the Andromeda galaxy for the...
successfully petitioned the Hamburg senate to have Schmidt camera installed in 1937, and it was completed in 1954 after work re-started on in 1951 after being interrupted by WWII. Walter Baade also succeeded in having a Schmidt camera built at Mount Wilson Observatory
Mount Wilson Observatory
The Mount Wilson Observatory is an astronomical observatory in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The MWO is located on Mount Wilson, a 5,715 foot peak in the San Gabriel Mountains near Pasadena, northeast of Los Angeles...
in California.
Dr. Kasimir Graf made many observations at Hamburg until he left for the Vienna Observatory
Vienna Observatory
Universitäts-Sternwarte Wien is an astronomical observatory in Vienna, Austria. It is part of the University of Vienna. The first observatory was built in 1753–1754 on the roof of one of the university buildings....
in 1928.