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German Astronomy: Uniting Professionals & Amateurs for IYA 2009

Explore the structure of German astronomy, involving professional institutes like RdS & AG, and amateurs organized under VdS. Learn about planetaria in Germany, including the Council of German Planetaria (RdP), and their efforts to coordinate for the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) 2009. Discover the joint nationwide promotion and ESA's involvement in producing a special planetarium show focusing on European space missions and the spirit of discovery. Join the collaborative effort of German language planetaria to enhance public engagement in astronomy education during this milestone year.

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German Astronomy: Uniting Professionals & Amateurs for IYA 2009

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  1. The International Year ofAstronomy in Germany:The Role of Planetaria CAP 2007 Athens October 8th, 2007 Susanne Hüttemeister Planetarium Bochum and Astronomical Institute, Bochum University

  2. The Structure of German Astronomy Professional Astronomy Rat deutscher Sternwarten (RdS) - Council of German Observatories 37 member institutes (voting members: directors) - Universities - Max-Planck-Institutes - State observatories Current president: Prof. Dieter Reimers, Hamburg Astronomische Gesellschaft (AG) - Astronomical Society About 800 individual members, most German professional astronomers, a few teachers/amateurs Current president: Prof. Gerhard Hensler, Vienna Complicated structure, responsibilities not always clear, e.g.: AG has no budget to finance any IYA activity, is not entirely a German organisation…

  3. The amateurs Current registry (probably incomplete): 148 astronomy clubs and public observatories in Germany Umbrella organisation Vereinigung der Sternfreunde ‚Association of Friends of Astronomy‘ ~ 4000 individual and institutional members in principle excellent resources Activities ● 18 sections, some very active e.g. meteors, comets, deep sky, planets, sun, spectroscopy, stellar occultations, variables… ● A journal ● Organisation of national ‚Astronomy Day‘ … with very mixed success Problem: Without exceptions volunteers with other obligations

  4. The IYA 2009: Preparations Many ideas and plans in various states of completeness ● RdS – appointed ‚Single Point of Contact‘ resigned – - Replacement will be found very soon (urgently needed) ● Astronomical Society: - Only coordinating role is possible - Idea (Committee for the Teaching of Astronomy): Encourage all professional institutes to approach local schools and do ‚Astronomy weeks‘, use schools as addtitional multipliers (see poster Scorza for great examples) ● VdS (amateurs) are acknowlegded as very important partners by the professionals, but may lack coordination ● Popular Astronomy Journals (three major ones exist) may be important partners ● Planetaria : Joint effort planned

  5. National Structure? Federal Ministry of Education and Research declares national ‚Scince Years‘ International Year of Physics 2005 in Germany ‚Einstein Year‘ was a very successful example 2009 may be ‚Year of Light‘ (probably not ‚Year of Astronomy‘), but subject is related: Inclusion in infrastructure (and financial support) seems possible and is highly desirable (SPC) Joint planetarium programm 2005: Trial run for the IAY 2009?

  6. Planetaria in Germany Yet another council: RdP ‚Rat deutscher Planetarien‘ - Council of German planetaria • 24 members (3 in Austria) • at least one full-time staff member • - at least 10000 visitors/year Bochum Berlin - Archenhold Mannheim Hamburg Stuttgart Jena

  7. Locations Operated by: ● most often cities, directly or indirectly ● sometimes astronomy clubs ● rarely universites ● sometimes museums Commercial operation usually not possible, Public financial support needed No ‚standard‘ structure About as many non-RdP small planetaria (often in the former GDR) Often in difficult financial situation

  8. Visitors RdP-Planetaria: Roughly 2 million vistors per year (1.6 – 1.95 Millionen 2002 – 2006) Fairly constant ● Hamburg (~ 340000) to ● Cottbus (~ 19000) • By far the most visited locations • of astronomical outreach and • education Bochum • Obvious important • participant in • IAY 2007

  9. Heterogeneous Technology… Optomechanical Projektors So far: The vast majority This will change in the next 10 years, but not till 2009 Full Dome Video Systems (plus optomechanical projectors) So far: 4 RdP planetaria A joint programm must work on both systems! Possible, but requires flexibility and ‚good will‘

  10. … and Philosophy Large planetarium (20m-dome, 200 – 300 seats, 8 in Germany) Small planetaria (~ 60 seats) - Often preproduced shows - Technically advanced - (Sometimes) truly immersive - But perceived as ‚movies‘ by visitors, no ‚personal‘ touch - Many live programmes - ‚charming‘ and individual, but limited capabilities

  11. Plans for a IYA cooperation Goal: A joint planetarium show for all German language planetaria Joint nationwide promotion very high visibility Spring 2007: European Space Agency approaches RdP Intent: ● Production (by ESA) of planetarium show for IYA ● ESA missions featured, but no ‚ESA commercial‘ ● Advancing consciousness of European astronomy ● Emotional impact, spirit of discovery ● Almost all RdP planetaria signal interest ● Working groups (content / visualisation) constituted ● Content group met several times – storyboard developped

  12. The Show: From Galileo…

  13. …to Multiwavelength Space Astronomy Focus: Missions Herschel and Planck The depth of time and space

  14. … and Planetary Exploration Focus on present and future

  15. Teaching material and an exhibition Material for schools and a travelling exhibition should accompany the show. Teaching material: ESA Leader of the exhibition part of the project: Planetarium Laupheim (experienced in designing exhibitions)

  16. ? Will it happen? ? Potential problem(s) ? ? ? ● Individualistic nature of German planetaria (and large number of different internal structures) makes cooperation difficult ? ? ? ● ESA requires significant financial contribution from all participating planetaria Crucial RdP meeting: November 5th, Committment required shortly thereafter

  17. An additional focus: Light pollution German initiative led by Andreas Hänel (Planetarium and science museum Osnabrück) ● Museum-quality exhibition ● Public events Light pollution map of central Europe

  18. Think global – act local? IYA in Germany Despite (hopefully) common planetarium show • Success will very • likely depend on • many local activities • Professional institutes • - Planetaria • Schools • Astronomy clubs • - Individuals National umbrella probably limited to information / coordination

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