Bleien Radio Observatory, Radio astronomy observatory in Gränichen, Switzerland.
Description
Bleien Radio Observatory is a research facility near Gränichen that houses two parabolic antennas measuring 7 and 5 meters across. These telescopes sit roughly 100 meters apart and receive radio waves from space across frequencies ranging from 10 MHz to 5 GHz.
History
ETH Zurich established the facility in 1979 under Professor Arnold Benz, introducing the first fully digitized remote-controlled receiver system. This technology marked a turning point in Swiss radio astronomy.
Culture
The observatory serves as a center for scientific education where students and researchers conduct radio astronomy observations and develop new technologies. Visitors can directly experience how modern instruments are used to study the sky.
Practical
The site is publicly accessible, but visits should be arranged in advance to avoid disrupting research activities. The best time to visit is during clear weather when the installations are most visible.
Did you know?
From 2005 to 2015, the observatory held the largest bandwidth capacity worldwide for solar radio observations. This exceptional capability allowed researchers to record solar flares and magnetic phenomena with unmatched detail.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Gränichen).
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1.2 km
Liebegg Castle
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Museum of Witchcraft Switzerland
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Reformed church
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Kirche Teufenthal
1.5 km
Evangelical reformed parish church
3.5 km
Reformed church
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Under Baliff's house
2.3 km
City hall
3.3 km
Trostburg, medieval castle ruin
1.1 km
Bleien 7m radio telescope
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Villa Walti
3.5 km
Parish hall, shed and fountain
3.3 km
Chornhuus, former city hall with city archives
2.4 km
Guesthouse to the Inn
1.1 km
Manse
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Residential house of the former mill
4.2 km
Local museum Seon
3.7 km
Schoolhouse (1841/1929)
3.7 km
Former untere Mühle
3.9 km
Mill's barn
3.8 km
Dwelling House (1825)
3.1 km
Former Ossuary
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So-called Lindenhof
3.4 km
School house
3.2 km
Granary at the agricultural school
768 m
So-called Statthalterhaus
3.3 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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