Visiting the Great Refractor

The "Science Park Albert Einstein" on Potsdam's Telegrafenberg (see locations) is home to the Great Refractor and the Solar Observatory Einstein Tower, which are very interesting in a history of science context and still very popular with all age groups. The park is open during the day, all buildings can be visited from the outside without making an appointment. Guests of the science park only need to register at the park entrance (front gate).

The Great Refractor can be visited within a guided tour from the inside. Dates and hours are announced on this page, via our public events page and via the local media in Potsdam; guided tours for groups of 15 or more people are also possible via the Förderverein Großer Refraktor e.V.

Public Observation Evenings

There will again be observing nights at the Great Refractor where anyone can come by and take a look through the telescope. The dates are:

• Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 8:00 p.m.
• Thursday, November 23, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
• Friday, December 22, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
• Friday, January 19, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
• Monday, February 26, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 7:00 p.m.

Meeting point: Dome of the refractor building, A27, Science Park "Albert Einstein", Telegrafenberg, Potsdam (see map at Directions Telegrafenberg).

Admission is free, no registration required. Observation is only possible in clear weather conditions, and if there is no snow on the dome. In case of rain, snow or fog, we will show a demonstration of the instrument. Please note that outside temperatures prevail in the dome of the building, so it can get very cold.

If you arrive by car, please use the parking opportunities in the street "Albert-Einstein-Straße". From there it is a 5-10 minute walk to the Great Refractor.