The equinox
On the day of the equinox, also known as the equinox, the sun is exactly over the equator. This happens twice a year, once in spring and once in fall. The equinox in spring is also known as...
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The starry sky in April 2024
Due to the later onset of twilight, the observatory opens on Friday evening in April one hour later at 9:00 p.m., assuming a cloudless night sky.Due to the irregular distribution of activity, this year's maximum of the Lyrids will occur on the morning of...
Nova expected in the constellation Northern Crown
Following observations in 1866 and 1946, experts are expecting another outburst of a nova in the constellation Corona Borealis (Northern Crown) in 2024, which is likely to be observable with the naked eye.
Mercury Saturn encounter captured by the SOHO satellite
In the afternoon hours of February 28, 2024, the innermost planet of our solar system, Mercury, and the sixth planet, the ringed gas giant Saturn, apparently met, and as this encounter took place close to the sun, the event was...
The starry sky in March 2024
Due to the later onset of twilight, the observatory will only open one hour later on Friday evening at 8 pm, assuming a cloudless night sky. This year's changeover to summer time will take place on the last weekend of...
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks in March/April 2024
Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is a periodic comet with an orbital period of 71 years around the sun. In the presumed sightings in 1385 and 1457, it was already recognized as a comet...
The starry sky in February 2024
February 2024 is a leap year with 29 days instead of the usual 28. The leap year was introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BC, as the seasons had shifted at the time.
The starry sky in January 2024
On 03.01. at 02 o'clock the earth is at a distance of 147.101 million kilometers in perihelion (close to the sun) on its orbit around the sun. The question may now arise as to why there is...
Astronomical units of measurement
This article explains the specification of distances, angles and magnitudes in an astrometric context. Distances The unit kilometer, which is commonly used in everyday life, is generally only used for short distances, e.g. for planetary diameters or...
The starry sky in December 2023
On December 22 at 4:27 a.m., the sun is at the lowest point in its apparent orbit around our home planet for the northern hemisphere. This is also known as the winter solstice. Around midday, the sun reaches...