Hoher List Observatory

Hoher List Observatory is an astronomical research facility located on a hilltop near Daun at approximately 500 meters in elevation. The site includes multiple dome structures housing different telescopes for observations and scientific work.

The University of Bonn founded the facility in 1954 as a replacement for an older observatory that had become compromised by urban light pollution. This move to a more remote location reflected the growing need for darker skies to conduct serious astronomical research.

The observatory serves as a place where researchers share their work with the public, bringing astronomy down from an abstract science to something people can see and experience directly. Visitors get a sense of how scientists approach their work and why the night sky matters to them.

Visitors can join guided visits on Saturdays from April through October, while evening observation sessions run from November through March depending on clear skies. It helps to plan ahead and check weather conditions, as observations depend on favorable viewing conditions.

The facility houses a Schmidt telescope with a 50-centimeter mirror and a Cassegrain telescope installed in 1966, both specialized instruments designed for specific types of observations. These telescopes allow researchers to study celestial phenomena that regular equipment cannot detect.

Location: Schalkenmehren

Location: Daun

Official opening: 1954

Elevation above the sea: 504 m

Website: http://astro.uni-bonn.de

GPS coordinates: 50.16167,6.84861

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:07