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The William Foerster observatory in Berlin, designated after the astronomer William Foerster, can look back on a long tradition as observation station for astronomically interested one and state of research place. It is located to a rubble mountain on the Insulaner, in the old district beautiful mountain and/or in the new district Tempelhof beautiful mountain.
At the foot of the Insulaners is the Zeiss Planetarium at the Insulaner.
Both astronomical mechanisms are summarized in the association William Foerster observatory registered association with Planetarium at the Insulaner (WFS registered association).
The history of the observatory is to reread in an exhibition in the Planetarium at the Insulaner and in the Kurzportrait "the William Foerster observatory ".
In October 1947 Hans's mill and Hans Rechlin create "the William Foerster institute ". 1947/1948 are the area on the Papestrasse 2 "". 1948 to 1950 a half ruin with lecture hall, one workshop, two observation platforms and a photo laboratory are equipped. Becomes with 7 - and 8-Zoll-Fernrohren observes. Starting from February 1948 the first telescopes are built. In August 1948 the observations begin. In October 1948 "the astronomical working group is created ". Starting from October 1948 there are special lectures for groups of young people, courses for people's highschools is offered. The first grades are cared for with lectures and guidance. In January 1951 the damaged URANIA Refraktor, the so-called Bamberg Refraktor (year of construction 1889) in the destroyed in the invalid road is diminished. 1953 are transferred Institut into the association William Foerster observatory registered association, a non-profit mechanism financially promoted from Land Berlin. 1955 are set up the Bamberg Refraktor (12-Zoll). 1963 refer the observatory the new buildings on the Insulaner. The Bamberg Refraktor is located in the 11-meter dome, in a smaller dome stands a 6-Zoll-Doppelrefraktor and on the platform a 7-Zoll-Teleskop. 1967 to 1968 become the 6-Zoll-Doppelrefraktor with Zeiss B objective completely newly built (frequency-steered drive - late change on step engines). 1971 are taken over a 75-cm-Aluminiumspiegel of the observatory Milan as loan.
1973 are built the detachable 75-cm-Spiegelteleskop completely from aluminum. A separate dome building is established on the Insulaner. On 9 November 1973 the 75-cm-Spiegel is inaugurated with the attendance by Federal President Heinemann. Starting from 1982 a special sun telescope is built. This is on the roof of the Planetariumsanbaus. It serves the projection of the sun picture to the Planetariumskuppel. 1988 are taken the instrument in enterprise. 1990 are set up in place of the metal mirror telescope a 75cm RC-telescope in the new dome building.
Further the William Foerster observatory modern CCD cameras and computer has for treatment of pictures.
On the observatory numerous different programs of members and for visitors take place.
The activities in the context of the different working groups unfassen far parts of the astronomy. Beside smaller optical devices the large telescopes are available to the observation for members and public.
The Bamberg Refraktor serves among other things for the observation of planets and sun. With it also the photographs for "the citizen of Berlin moon Atlas were won ". It possesses a 314 mm large free opening and has a focal length of 5 meters. The weight of 5 tons does not prevent however to move the telescope with a hand.
The 6-Zoll-Doppelrefraktor (focal length of 2.25 meters) in the 5-Meter-Kuppel is available likewise for the amateur astronomers. An objective of the main pipe is characterised as 3-linsiges Zeiss B objective by its high illustration quality and image definition.
Parallel to the 6-Zoll-Doppelrefraktor a 5-Zoll-Refraktor is installed. This is equipped with a resound Lyot filter (0.5 range) for sun observation in the light of the hydrogen spectral line.
The old 75-cm-Spiegelteleskop (focal length of 5.78 meters) stands in a 7-Meter-Kuppel and has a weight of 360 kg. Thus it is even transportable, if astronomical excursion ions are accomplished. Its ordeal by fire existed it with the expedition to Mauritania for the observation of a solar eclipse on 30 June 1973. With its luminous intensity it is suitable v. A. for the observation of gas nebulas and galaxies (Deep Sky objects).
With the new Spiegelteleskop (700 mm of opening) and a variable focal length of 5.6 meters or 10.5 meters, computer controlled, a outstanding illustration quality can be obtained. This telescope is to visitors and amateur astronomers equally at the disposal.
Many of the technical achievements could be bought and/or repaired also by the support from Lotto means, which constitutes an important part of the financing apart from the promotion of Land Berlin and the incomes from membership dues and visitor funds.
For the public in the regular guidance enterprise meetings for all age groups are offered. From the kindergarten and school guidance over observation of sun and bright objects during the day and presentation of the current night sky up to special topic guidance following the Planetariumsprogramme is offered a broad spectrum at used instruments and observed objects to the visitor.
To special astronomical events such as darkness or planet transits there is also opportunity to use the observatory.
In the year 2004 so the Venustransit could be seen to be observed, 2003 was the Merkurtransit.
Offered in a small lecture-room among other things courses in beginner, progressing and in special astronomy ranges like relativity theory interested.
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