Kölner Observatorium für SubMillimeter Astronomie

The Kölner Observatorium für SubMillimeter Astronomie was a radio telescope located in the southern tower of Gornergrat Kulm Hotel at 3,135 meters elevation. Its 3-meter primary mirror and specialized receivers could detect radio waves at very high frequencies used to study cold gas and dust in space.

The telescope began operations in 1985 as a collaborative project between German universities to study the interstellar space. After 25 years of observational work, it was shut down in 2010.

The observatory served as a meeting point where researchers from multiple universities worked together to study the structure of gas clouds between stars. This collaborative approach shaped the daily work at this mountain location.

The telescope was situated above 3,000 meters elevation on a mountain pass and could only observe during favorable weather conditions. The location provided an exceptionally dry and clear atmosphere for radio observations.

After closing in Switzerland, the telescope was dismantled and transported to even higher altitude in Tibet, where it continued operating under a new name. This second location at 4,300 meters allowed even better observations of cosmic radio waves.

Location: Valais

Inception: 1985

Elevation above the sea: 3,135 m

Diameter: 3 m

Website: https://astro.uni-koeln.de/index.php?id=17647

GPS coordinates: 45.98444,7.78583

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:44