Svenesis.orgVolkssternwarte Geschwister Herschel Hannover e.V.
Astronomy in Hannover – My Club
I am an enthusiastic member of the Volkssternwarte Geschwister Herschel Hannover e.V. – a charitable association whose primary mission is sharing astronomical knowledge with the public. Here, like-minded people come together who share a passion for the night sky and science – from beginners to experienced amateur astronomers.
What I find especially inspiring: the club runs entirely on volunteering and genuine enthusiasm. All public tours and observation evenings are organized by members on a voluntary basis – out of pure love for astronomy and the desire to pass that love on to others.
The observatory is located in Hannover on the 89 m high Lindener Berg hill – on the rooftop terrace of the water tower completed in 1878.
History
The Volkssternwarte Hannover has a long tradition:
- 1947 – Founded as the "Astronomische Arbeitsgemeinschaft" (Astronomical Work Group) under Prof. Dr. Rudolf Hase
- 1968 – The public observatory was formally established, based on Prof. Hase's private instruments
- 1986 – Renamed "Volkssternwarte Geschwister Herschel Hannover e.V." in honour of two famous astronomers born in Hannover:
• Friedrich Wilhelm Herschel – discovered the planet Uranus in 1781
• Caroline Herschel – discovered eight comets
Events & Programme of the Public Observatory
🌟 Public Observation Evenings
Every Thursday evening from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM (September through end of April) on the platform of the water tower. Free of charge, no registration required. Moon, planets, and stars are observed.
🗣 Monthly Lectures
On the second Thursday of each month, a lecture on current astronomical topics takes place – free, no registration needed. Seating is limited.
🏭 Group Tours
Available for school classes, clubs, and companies with at least 15 participants. Includes a presentation about the observatory and telescope observation of planets, the moon, and other objects. Free of charge; donations welcome.
☀️ Solar Observation Events
Occasional daytime events with filtered telescopes – sunspots, H-alpha views of prominences and filaments, and daytime Venus observation.
👦 Observatory for Children
Special events for children – astronomy to touch, explore, and wonder at.
👤 Tuesday Member Evenings
Every Tuesday at 8:00 PM – shared observation and exchange among members.
Equipment
Main Refractor (Sun, Moon, Planets)
The centrepiece of the observatory – a Fraunhofer refractor by Lichtenknecker Optics (Belgium), installed in June 1990.
| Aperture | 200 mm (finder: 90 mm) |
| Focal length | 3,000 mm (finder: 540 mm) |
| Focal ratio | f/15 (finder: f/6) |
| Magnification | 42× – 400× (finder: 13×) |
| Limiting magnitude | 13.6 mag – factor 1,110 over the naked eye; visible stars rise from approx. 4,800 to approx. 10,000,000 |
| Resolution | 0.6 arcseconds – on the Moon details down to ~1.1 km, on the Sun down to ~435 km |
| Field of view | ~1° (finder: ~3°) |
| Manufacturer | Lichtenknecker Optics AG, Belgium / Baader Planetarium KG, Munich |
H-Alpha Solar Telescope
Dedicated to observing prominences, filaments, and the chromosphere of the Sun.
| Aperture | 90 mm |
| Focal length | 1,300 mm |
| Focal ratio | f/14.5 |
| Magnification | 32× – 130× |
| Resolution | 1.5 arcseconds – on the Sun details down to approx. 1,200 km |
| Special filter | H-α line filter, half-width 8 Å at λ = 6563 Å |
Additional Equipment
- Large portable telescope with 368 mm aperture (available for members to borrow)
- AllSky live camera – 360° sky view from Hannover
Location & Getting There
Volkssternwarte Geschwister Herschel Hannover e.V.
Am Lindener Berge 27
D-30449 Hannover
The observatory is housed in a red brick water tower on the Lindener Berg hill – clearly visible with an information box at the entrance.
By Car
Take B6 (Westschnellweg) toward Deisterplatzkreisel → follow signs toward Hameln (B217) → at the second traffic light near the Hornbach store, turn right at the brown sign marked “Jazzclub” → follow “Am Spielfelde” uphill → turn left onto “Am Lindener Berge”.
By Public Transit
- Tram Line 9 to “Nieschlagstraße”, then Bus 200 to “Zur Sternwarte” – approx. 200 m uphill
- Bus Line 100 direct to “Zur Sternwarte” – approx. 200 m uphill to the red water tower
Contact
- Phone: 0511-456290 (every Tuesday 8–10 PM)
- Email: info(at)sternwarte-hannover.de
- Website: sternwarte-hannover.de