Main points of research
Inventory of astronomical instruments in Germany’s collection.
Instruments are indispensable as carriers of scientific practice for the study of historical observations and measurements.
While written sources are relatively easily available, the scientific instruments are clearly rarer.
In order to create a basis for the work on and with historical instruments, the Archenhold Observatory compiles a catalogue of inventory for all astronomical instruments within Germany. This project is accomplished in co-operation with the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
Contact: Dr Jürgen Hamel
Reconstruction of astronomical buildings and their surrounding fields
The practice with scientific instruments is not physically isolated but must be connected and seen with numerous outside factors, e.g. climate, landscape or architecture.
In an extensive research project, the working group History of Astronomy of the Archenhold Observatory is reconstructing the historical observatory in Remplin, Mecklenburg. The Rempliner Observatory was one of the central observatories of the north German area in the 18th century. As a result of the reconstruction of the observatory and its surrounding landscape parks, there arises a unique opportunity to study the environmental factors of astronomical research.
Contact: Dietmar Fürst
Observation of the Bailey's Beads phenomenon
The apparent diameter of the sun is an important astronomical measure. A very exact method for the determination of this value, is the measurement of the Bailey's Beads phenomenon at the time of total or circular solar eclipse. Observation stations are installed at both edges of the total eclipse zone. Long-term observations are necessary during extended time periods in order to specify the exact measurements.
Expeditions to such eclipse observations have been accomplished since numerous years, under the co-ordination of the IOTA/ES, by the members of the working groups (WG) of the Archenhold Observatory, to Mexico, Zimbabwe and South Africa, among others.
Contact: Konrad Guhl
Counting telescope and measured data collection
Since January 1997, a counting telescope is in operation at the Archenhold Observatory. This instrument augments the historic as well as first measurements by a workgroup under the leadership of Werner Heisenberg.
Through the entry of so-called primary cosmic radiation, e.g. due to supernova explosions or solar activity, the so-called secondary radiation is created in the Earth’s atmosphere. This radiation is the object of the metrological probes at the Archenhold Observatory. Due to the hitherto complete data collection, monthly as well as annual profiles were compiled and are still being produced on the recorded and measured sections of the heavens. Thanks to the unchanged mounting and placement of the instruments ever since the commencement of measurements, setting-up effects are suppressed. The measuring results of the counting telescope are compared with the results of other institutes.
Contact: Jürgen Rose