Zimmerwald Observatory, Astronomical observatory in Zimmerwald, Switzerland.
Zimmerwald Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by the Institute of Astronomy of the University of Bern. It stands on the Längenberg, a chain of hills about 10 kilometres south of Bern, at roughly 900 metres, with a view of the Bernese Alps. The site holds five telescopes of various sizes, including the 1-metre ZIMLAT telescope inaugurated in 1997.
The station began operations in 1956 with basic telescopic equipment for sky observation and has evolved into a modern center for satellite tracking over the decades. Today it represents the growth of Swiss contributions to international space research.
The observatory supports research collaboration among several European universities and helps train students in astronomy and space science. You can see here how scientists work together on international projects to advance our understanding of space.
The station sits on a mountain near Bern and viewing is best during clear nights when the sky is dark. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for changeable alpine weather conditions.
This observatory discovered a comet from which NASA brought particles back to Earth, a rare scientific legacy. These comet samples represent the far-reaching impact this station has had on space exploration.
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