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Global Astronomy Survey: Germany
First submission: Michael Geffert (SPoC) [see human resources section] 18 July 2009 SPoC Approval: Yes
PROFESSIONAL (RESEARCH ASTRONOMY):
I) Universities offering Astronomy:
20 universities in Germany offer different lectures in astronomy:
Berlin: Technische Universität Berlin Bochum: Ruhr-Universität Bochum Bonn: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn Bremen: Jacobs University Bremen Dresden: Technische Universität Dresden Erlangen-Nürnberg: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Frankfurt am Main: Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main Freiburg: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Göttingen: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Hamburg: Universität Hamburg Hannover: Leibniz Universität Hannover Heidelberg: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg Jena: Friedrich-Schiler-Universität Jena Kiel: Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel Köln: Universität zu Köln Garching (bei München): Technische Universität München München: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Potsdam: Universität Potsdam Tübingen: Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen Würzburg: Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
II) Universities offering Physics:
94 universities in Germany offer different lectures in physics
Aachen: Rheinisch-Westfälisch Technische Hochschule (RWTH) Aachen Aalen: Hochschule Aalen Technik und Wirtschaft Augsburg: Universität Augsburg Bayreuth: Universität Bayreuth Berlin: Freie Universität Berlin Berlin: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Berlin: Technische Universität Berlin Bielefeld: Universität Bielefeld Birkenfeld: Fachhochschule Trier - Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Gestaltung University of Applied Sciences Bochum: Ruhr-Universität Bochum Bonn: Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Braunschweig: Technische Universität Carolo-Wilhelmina zu Braunschweig Bremen: Jacobs University Bremen Bremen: Hochschule Bremen Chemnitz: Technische Universität Chemnitz Clausthal-Zellerfeld: Technische Universität Clausthal Coburg: Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Fachhochschule Coburg Coburg: Fachhochschule Schloss Hohenfels Staatlich anerkannte private Hochschule für Fachtherapien im Gesundheitswesen Cottbus: Brandenburgische technische Universität Cottbus Darmstadt: Technische Universität Darmstadt Deggendorf: Hochschule Deggendorf University of Applied Sciences Dortmund: Technische Universität Dortmund Dresden: Technische Universität Dresden Duisburg: Universität Duisburg-Essen Düsseldorf: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf Emden: Fachhochschule Oldenburg / Ostfriesland / Wilhelmshaven Erlangen-Nürnberg: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Essen: Universität Duisburg-Essen Flensburg: Universität Flensburg Frankfurt am Main: Johann Wolfgang-Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main Freiberg: Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg Freiburg: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg Friedberg: Fachhochschule Gießen-Friedberg Gelsenkirchen: Fachhochschule Gelsenkirchen Gießen: Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen Göttingen: Fachhochschule Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst Göttingen: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Greifswald: Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald Halle: Martin-Luther-Universität-Halle-Wittenberg Hamburg: Universität Hamburg Hannover: Leibniz Universität Hannover Heidelberg: Pädagogische Hochschule Heidelberg Heidelberg: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg Hildesheim: Universität Hildesheim Ilmenau: Technische Universität Ilmenau Iserlohn: Fachhochschule Südwestfalen Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Isny: Naturwissenschaftlich-Technische Akademie Prof. Dr. Grübler gemeinnützige GmbH Hochschule und Berufskollegs Jena: Fachhochschule Jena University of Applied Sciences Jena: Friedrich-Schiler-Universität Jena Jülich: Fachhochschule Aachen Kaiserslautern: Technische Universität Kaiserslautern Karlsruhe: Pädagogische Hochschule Karlsruhe University of Education Karlsruhe: Universität Friedericiana zu Karlsruhe (TH) Forschungsuniversität (gegründet 1825) Kassel: Universität Kassel Kiel: Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel Koblenz: Universität Koblenz-Landau, Abteilung Koblenz Köln: Universität zu Köln Konstanz: Universität Konstanz Landau:Universität Koblenz-Landau, Abteilung Landau Leipzig: Universität Leipzig Ludwigsburg: Pädagogische Hochschule Ludwigsburg Lüneburg: Leuphania Universität Lüneburg Magdenburg: Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg Mainz: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz Marburg: Phillipps-Universität Marburg Merseburg: Hochschule Merseburg (FH) University of Applied Sciences Mittweida: Hochschule Mittweida University of Applied Sciences Garching (bei München): Technische Universität München München: Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften FH München München: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Münster: Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster Nürnberg: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Nürnberg Nürnberg: Georg-Simon-Ohm-Hochschule Nürnberg University of Applied Sciences Oldenburg: Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg Osnabrück: Universität Osnabrück Paderborn: Universität Paderborn Potsdam: Universität Potsdam Regensburg: Universität Regensburg Remagen: Fachhochschule Koblenz Rostock: Universität Rostock Rüsselsheim: Fachhochschule Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences Saarbrücken: Universität des Saarlandes Schwäbisch Gmünd: Pädagogische Hochschule Schwäbisch Gmünd Siegen: Universität Siegen Steinfurt: Fachhochschule Münster University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart: Universität Stuttgart Tübingen: Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen Ulm: Universität Ulm Weimar: Bauhaus-Universität-Weimar Weingarten: Hochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten Technik Wirtschaft Sozialwesen Wildau: Technische Fachhochschule Wildau Würzburg: Bayerische Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg Wuppertal: Bergische Universität Wuppertal Zwickau: Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau
III) Number of academics who have been trained in astronomy:
The “Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft” published in 2003 the “Denkschrift” (http://www.astro.uni-bonn.de/~rds/denkrds.html) about the status and future of astronomy in Germany from 2003 to 2016. According to this report we had 2003 in Germany in astronomy (university and other institutions): · 97 professors · 375 scientists on permanent postions (at least with a PhD) · 202 scientists on time limited positions (with a PhD) · 409 students writing a PhD · 215 students writing a diploma thesis with an astronomical topic
IV) Number of astronomical facilities
Optical Observatories:
In Germany the weather conditions are not very suited for professional astronomical observations. Most astronomers use for professional observations international observatories (e.g. ESO)
· The largest optical observatory located within Germany is the Thüringer Landessternwarte Tautenburg with a 2m multifunctional telescope (http://www.tls-tautenburg.de/) · At Wendelstein observatory a new 2m telescope is going to be installed and will work probably from 2010 (http://www.wendelstein-observatorium.de:8002/) · Another professional observatory is Observatorium Hoher List with a 1m Cassegrain telescope established in 1966 (http://www.astro.uni-bonn.de/~webaiub/german/institute_hoher_list.php) · Some of the other institutes have smaller telescopes, but these are used mainly for public outreach and student work (see professional institutions in Germany: http://www.rat-deutscher-sternwarten.de/)
To the Max-Planck Institut für Astronomie in Heidelberg belongs an external observatory in spain: The Calar Alto observatory (http://www.caha.es/index.php?lang=de) with a 3.5m, a 2.2m and a 1.23m telescope.
Radio Telescopes: With the 100m radio telescope in Effelsberg, one of the largest radio telescopes in the world is located in Germany (http://www.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de/div/effelsberg/). It is used by the Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie. Other radio telescopes in Germany are · Astropeiler Stockert (http://www.astropeiler.de/) · 34 m antenna FGAN (http://www.fhr.fgan.de/fhr/fhr.html) · Observatorium Tremsdorf (http://www.aip.de/groups/osra/german/de_observatory_information.html) · Geodetic observatory Wettzell (http://www.fs.wettzell.de/)
Solar Observatory There are some german solar telescopes in tenerife (http://obs.kis.uni-freiburg.de/tfs-index.htm)
VI) Self evaluation in professional astronomy
For me, it seems to be impossible to give a qualified evaluation, therefore I mention again the results of the “Denkschrift”: (The “Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft” published in 2003 the “Denkschrift” (http://www.astro.uni-bonn.de/~rds/denkrds.html) about the status and future of astronomy in Germany from 2003 to 2016.)
According to the “Denkschrift” in Germany professional astronomy is very well established. However the number of scientists with respect to all habitants is smaller than in other European countries.
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PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING IN ASTRONOMY:
I) Outreach programs (national/from governments)
There are about 90 planetaria in Germany. Many of them are financed by the municipality. (http://www.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de/public/thomas/Planetarien.html) In Munich and Bonn the “Deutsches Museum” presents natural sciences including astronomy. There are several science centers or similar institutions, which present natural science and astronomy.
II) Other Outreach programs
Max Planck institutes, DLR and the institutes of the universities have people working in public outreach. However working in public outreach is not very accepted in professional institutes. In Germany there are nearly 50.000 amateur astronomers with a telescope , about 2000 are doing some kind of outreach for astronomy.
III) Astronomy in the media
One can find several often reports about new discoveries or theories in the media. In the IYA2009 we had good contact especially to the print media. Astronomy is present in pages dedicated to science and in special broadcasts on scientific topics. The media are willing to publish new scientific results. However, astronomy is seldom present in “normal” talkshows or in media not dedicated to science. There is also no astronomer, who is very prominent in television or other media. Astronomy is no topic for politicans, they don't care about astronomy. Our minister for research and education did not like to support the IYA2009. Instead, she created much later an own “Wissenschaftsjahr” 2009 (science year) and spent a lot of money for activities for that and not for astronomy.
IV) Astronomy in culture
In culture astronomy is not very common. Astrology seems to be much more present. By several events during the IYA2009 we tried to introduce astronomy to several culture events. There were concerts, partly with special pieces written to astronomy and music, theatre events, the annual meeting of the protestantic church in Germany, where astronomy was present. In all of these events, we learned that the people were enthusiastic about astronomy and many of them started a new interest in astronomy. However we need efforts to bring people in contact with astronomy and simple explanations for basic facts. There are a lot of interesting possibilities to combine astronomy and culture.
V) Self evaluation
In Germany the general public is not very well informed about astronomy. The knowledge of astronomical facts is only moderate. There is an increasing gap between the development of science and the astronomical knowledge of normal people. Astronomers should continue in writing press releases on their own scientific topics. However, in addition, they should also present more basic astronomy to the public. One should be aware of the ability of astronomical observations and the fascination, which people may have by looking at the celestial objects. Taking a binocular or a small telescope and showing people the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn etc. may be a strong motivation to astronomy. Astronomers may go out of their institutes and bring the astronomy to the public. It is very important, that scientists go and talk with people. Nevertheless all professionals should be also aware of the potential of amateur astronomers and support these colleagues. There are by a factor of at least ten more amateur astronomers than professional scientist in each country.
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ASTRONOMY IN SCHOOLS:
I) National astronomy/science education programs for schools
There are no such programs especially dedicated to astronomy as far as I know
II) Astronomy/science education programs for schools not national, not from government department
There are some national and more local projects, but I I suppose, that I am not aware of all of them!
National projects (e.g.): Monet (http://www.astronomie-und-internet.de/) [Robotic telescops] Science on stage (European) (http://www.science-on-stage.de/) [How to teach natural science] WIS! Wissenschaft in die Schulen (http://www.wissenschaft-schulen.de/) [Papers and experiments to bring recent science into schools] There are internet offers for educational material: Collection: (http://star-www.st-and.ac.uk/~ch80/ALU/Schulprojekte.html)
Local projects (e.g.): Astronomie / vor Ort (http://www.astro.uni-bonn.de/~geffert/AvOrt/Bericht0608.pdf) (Report on my own project: Teaching astronomy in all kind of school classes and even in Kindergarten)
III) Presence of astronomy in curriculum
Unfortunately, we have in Germany 16 governments with 16 different curricula. In Thüringen astronomy is a school subject for all students of class 10. On the other hand in Nordrhein Westfalen astronomy is only optional in the curriculum. In some governments some teachers are fighting for astronomy as a regular school subject. In the eastern part of Germany (DDR) in earlier times astronomy was a regular school subject for all pupils of class 10! In these governments there are several teachers with an excellent knowledge of how to teach astronomy in school. Astronomical topics are also optional in the curricula for primary schools.
IV) Status of astronomy/science in schools
There is a general agreement that astronomy is very suited to inspire natural science in young people. However teaching depends very much on the single teachers. Some don't like astronomy but some have even in the evening astronomy courses in their school. The main part of children at the age of 6 to 12 is enthusiastic about astronomy in school. Children at the age of 14 to 16 loose the interest, and then only the “specialists” are interested in astronomy. There are by far too less teachers for physics in Germany, which is a serious problem. In some schools physic courses for upper grades don't take place.
V) Self evaluation astronomy in schools
Astronomy is not very well established in schools. There are good arguments having astronomy as a regular school subject. However the discussion on this topic is controversial. The governments are mainly not interested in having astronomy as a school subject. To improve the situation, we have in Germany the last decade of the IYA2009 dedicated to “astronomy in school” and there wil take place the “week of school astronomy” from 9 to 15th of november.
However, it is important to show, that astronomy may enrich the education not only in the classical topics like mathematics, physics and geography. Astronomical topics may also be included in language curses, music, biology and art. It wi9ll be very important to future, that astronomers will be open to other school topics.
We also need more professorships for didactic of astronomy and more scientist going to schools to teach also astronomy in the classrooms. My own example shows that even without large efforts this works very well.
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