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Time series of the setting Sun reflected in the water. The brightness of the solar disk decreases strongly closer to the horizon

Images of the sky captured by enthusiastic stargazers can leave one in awe, but they can also be important teaching tools, especially when they are open to all. For its third astrophotography contest, the IAU Office of Astronomy for Education sought out images of the motions of the heavens: from the Sun’s path from across the sky through the year, to the movement of the stars in the night sky and the changing phases of Venus; as well as images taken with a smartphone. Each image breathtaking, each demonstrating an important concept. Modern imaging technology, from the simple smartphone to more sophisticated telescopes help to bring out great educational potential in these beautiful celestial images. Their power is even greater if the teachers and students realise that they were obtained, patiently and skillfully, using equipment that is commonly available. more

Many bright stripes in the night sky, some with a particularly bright bulge, appear to point in all directions from a point above two bright stars. The constellation Orion is at bottom right

Shooting star season is not only in mid-August, but also in mid-December! The Geminids, which appear to come from the namesake constellation Gemini, offer a reliable winter show of shooting stars - this year without any disturbance by the Moon. Only the weather has to play along... more

Finding chart for comet Nishimura with the position of the comet in the constellation of Leo marked for 4 - 13 September 2023

After C/2022 E3 (ZTF) at the beginning of the year, we get another short term visit from the depths of the solar system with C/2023 P1 (Nishimura). Like ZTF, Nishimura reaches a brightness that makes it an object for binocular, but due to its proximity to the Sun, observing it is challenging. more

The night sky with the Milky Way in a fisheye view, many shooting stars seem to come from a spot to the upper right of the image center

Every year mid-August, a noticably large number of shooting stars can be seen in the night sky. Around 12 August, the Earth crosses a swarm of cosmic dust particles which become visible when they enter Earth's atmosphere. Under optimal conditions, meteors can be seen darting across the sky every one to two minutes. This year, the premises are particularly favorable for this celestial spectacle, because the maximum of the Perseids is on a weekend and the Moon does not brighten the sky. more

This was Girls’Day 2023

This year's Girls' Day took place on Thursday 27 April 2023 and MPIA and HdA participated. more

Announcement of the IAU OAE Astrophotography Contest 2023

The IAU Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE) announces its third astrophotography contest with the aim of making outstanding and educationally valuable astronomical images freely available. This year's categories include phases of Venus, solar day arcs and solargraphs, sunrise and sunset locations throughout the year, as well as smartphone astrophotography and time lapses of Big Dipper and Southern Cross. Deadline for submissions is 30 June 2023. more

View of the sky at dusk in western direction. The position of Mercury above the horizon is drawn as an arc for each day from 1 to 20 April 2023. Additionally the position of Venus on 11 April is marked next to the Pleiades

From early to mid-April, planet Mercury appears in the western evening sky. This is the only good evening visibility of the planet closest to the Sun this year. more

Illustration of the orbit of the planets of our solar system from Mercury to Jupiter together with the orbit of comet P/2023 C1 (Jahn)

German amateur astronomer Jost Jahn has made a rare discovery with the remote-controlled ROTAT telescope of the Foundation Interactive Astronomy and Astrophysics, that is maintained by the Haus der Astronomie: Comet P/2023 C1 (Jahn), now named after its discoverer, orbits the Sun in an inclined orbit between the two planets Mars and Jupiter. This is the first comet discovery by a German since 2002 more

Girls'Day 2023

Girls'Day 2023

March 17, 2023

On 27 April 2023, the House of Astronomy and the MPIA offer a Girls'Day for schoolgirls from grade 8. The programme lasts from 8:45 to 16:15. more

Star chart with viewing direction to the north. The positions of comet ZTF in the constellations Corona Borealis, Draco, Ursa Minor, Camelopardalis, Auriga and Taurus at individual dates are marked in yellow

The new year starts with an interesting celestial encounter: Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will reach its maximum brightness at about 5.5 mag in early February and will be easily observable with binoculars. It will first be an object of the morning sky, then will be high in the sky near Polaris throughout the night and will say goodbye in the evening sky early in March. more

The great journey through the universe

Event on 3 February 2023, 5 p.m. in the Haus der Astronomie more

The Milky Way appears as two vertical diffuse bands of light either side of a dark dust lane, over a rocky outcrop

The IAU Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE) hosted at Haus der Astronomie is today announcing the winners of its 2022 Astrophotography Contest. After being launched in April, the contest received nearly 230 entries from 31 countries around the world. The winning photos and videos will expand the OAE’s collection of high-quality educational resources available to astronomy educators globally. more

Star chart for midnight in the middle of December with view direction south. In the constellation of Gemini the radiant of the Geminid meteor shower is marked with a cross

They were named after the constellation Gemini: The Geminids usually provide a beautiful meteor show in mid-December. With up to 150 meteors per hour, the Geminids are considered the richest stream of the year. The peak of the activity is reached on 14 December  at 14 CET., so the nights of 13-14 December and 14-15 December are best for shooting star hunting. more

Public event: the technology of telescopes and their instrumentation

On 14/12/2022: HdA reaches out to pupils in particular. more

Star chart for the morning hours in the middle of November with view direction south. In the constellation of Leo the radiant of the Leonid meteor shower is marked with a cross

Every year in mid-November the Earth crosses the path of comet 55P/Temple-Tuttle on its orbit around the Sun. Particles of the comet collide with the Earth's atmosphere and produce shooting stars. The number of meteors is quite low with 10 to 15 per hour, but among them are often very bright shooting stars. In 2022 there could also be a second meteor shower. more

Satellite image of central Europe with depictions of the partial solar eclipse on 25 October 2022 for different locations

On October 25 at noon, the Moon passes in front of the Sun - a partial solar eclipse takes place. The event lasts about two hours and can be seen from almost all of central Europe under clear skies. Observatories at many locations will invite you to observe this celestial event. In addition, you can follow the eclipse via livestream on the Internet. more

Oil painting of a man with curly grey hair and a long nose. He is wearing a white neckerchief and a brown coat.

On 7th October 2022, 7:00 pm in the Haus der Astronomie: lecture with musical recordings more

Carolin Liefke leaning on a transparent baluster in the interior HdA building

HdA is reorganising, as Carolin Liefke joins HdA managing scientist Markus Pössel in setting the future course of Haus der Astronomie and in managing day-to-day affairs. more

The James Webb space telescope is in front of a black background. On the left of the image, the cosmic network of dark matter is indicated. On the right is an artistic representation of a planet passing in front of a star and the image of a galaxy.

Public event on 12 July 2022, at 8:00 p.m. in the HdA auditorium (Fully booked! Live stream available.) more

Star chart centered around the constellation Bootes. The radiant of the Tau Herculids is marked by shooting stars emerging from it

On 30 and 31 May 2022 the Earth passes a stripe of comet material more

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