Zimmerwald Observatory

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Zimmerwald Observatory
Observatorium Zimmerwald 01.jpg
The Zimmerwald Observatory in 2009
Alternative namesAIUB OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Organization University of Bern
Observatory code 026   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Locationnear Zimmerwald, Canton of Bern, Switzerland
Coordinates 46°52′36″N7°27′54″E / 46.87667°N 7.46500°E / 46.87667; 7.46500
Established1956
Website www.aiub.unibe.ch
Telescopes
ZIMLAT1-meter Laser and Astrometric Telescope
Switzerland relief location map.jpg
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Location of Zimmerwald Observatory
Zimmerwald Observatory
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The Zimmerwald Observatory (German : Observatorium Zimmerwald) is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by the Institute of Astronomy of the University of Bern It has five telescopes of various sizes. [1]

Contents

Location

The observatory is located at Zimmerwald, 10 kilometres south of Bern, Switzerland. It is situated on the Längenberg, a chain of hills. It offers a view of the Bernese Alps from 900 metres high. [2] [3]

History

In 1922, the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Bern commenced its astronomical observations at the Muesmatt Observatory, also known as the Old Observatory. Though, this was unsuccessful due to air pollution and the observatory's low-lying position. In 1956, the observatory was moved to Zimmerwald, a high-altitude location that was considered an ideal choice for an observatory, due to it's proximity to the city and freeness from the limitations of air and light pollution. In 1976 the compact small extension for the second dome with the ZIMLAT telescope was constructed. [4] The 1-meter aperture ZIMLAT telescope was inaugurated in 1997. [5] The 1m ZIMLAT telescope aims to observe satellites for 24 hours a day, weather permitting. [1]

Discoveries

Numerous comets and asteroids have been discovered by Paul Wild (1925–2014) at Zimmerwald Observatory, most notably comet 81P/Wild, which was visited by NASA's Stardust space probe in 2004. The main belt asteroid 1775 Zimmerwald has been named after the location of the observatory. [2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Zimmerwald Observatory". Astronomical Institute. 2015-11-24. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  2. 1 2 "1775 Zimmerwald (1969 JA)". JPL – Small-Body Database Browser. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  3. ↑ "The night sky over Zimmerwald". Archived from the original on 2025-12-06. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  4. ↑ "Zimmerwald Observatory". Portal. 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  5. ↑ "The ZIMLAT Telescope". Universität Bern, Astronomisches Institut, Zimmerwald Observatory. 3 August 2007. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2015.


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