One of the most important insights gained with data from the 25m radio telescope at Stockert Observatory is certainly the study of the structure of the Milky Way. With our solar system in the middle of our galaxy, the Milky Way appears to us as a diffuse band of stars in the sky. Even early on, optical astronomers were able to take pictures of distant galaxies that had a distinct spiral structure, and with that, the question which shape our own galaxy has became pressing.
Early Research
NASA/JPL-Caltech (author R. Hurt).
In the early 1950s, measurements from the Dutch radio observatory Dwingeloo indicated a spiral structure, and this hypothesis was confirmed with data from Stockert.
In addition, the Stockert radio telescope was used in preperation for the American lunar missions: By observing the thermal radiation of the Moon, important conclusions about the surface properties of the Moon and suspicions of an extremely thin atmosphere could be drawn.
A brief, if imprecise, overview of the work can be obtained from Google Scholar with a query such as “Stockert radio telescope OR observatory“. Further information about the research can be found in the annual reports of the Astronomical Institute Bonn.
Grobübersicht aus unterschiedlichen Quellen (Auszüge):
| 1956 | Completion – Stockert Youtube Video |
| 1957 | Start of scientific work with 21 cm measurement operations observation of the lunar eclipse on May 13 |
| 1958 | Investigations of the structure of the Milky Way with 21 cm measurement operations of the thermal radiation of the Moon, Start of the astronomical survey |
| 1959 | Measurements of 21 cm line profile continuum measurements at 21 cm Observation of the solar eclipse on October 2 |
| 1960 | Measurements of 21 cm line profile continuum measurements at 21 cm Dr. Peter Mezger: 2nd Bonn Survey at 11 cm |
| 1961 | Gaussian breakdown of line profiles, preparation of supplementary measurements |
| 1962 | Supplementary measurements, further work on the receivers with parametric amplifiers |
| 1963 | 21 cm line measurements and receiver development Investigation of the hydrogen distribution in higher galactic latitudes |
| 1964 | 21 cm line measurements, first analyses in preparation for a large telescope |
| 1965 | 21 cm line measurements first investigations for conversion into a Cassegrain sytem (unavailable in English) |
| 1966 | 21 cm line spectroscopy (unavailable in English) resulting in ball bearing damage, afterwards measurements in meridian transit mode. Tests on the 10m telescope with the result that a rework of the gears is necessary. |
| 1967 | 11 cm continuum measurements with the 25 m telescope, solar measurements at 8.6 mm with the 10 m telescope, low frequency laboratory for locating lightning, mechanical studies and receiver measurements for the construction of the large Effelsberg 100 m radio telescope |
| 1968 | 11 cm continuum measurements with the 25 m telescope, observation of varying radio sources, solar measurements at 8.6 mm with the 10 m telescope |
| 1969 | 11 cm continuum measurements with the 25 m telescope, then conversion to 21cm. solar measurements at 8.6 mm with the 10 m telescope, hydrogen measurements at 21 cm |
| 1970 | 21 cm measurements on the 25 m telescope in the first half of the year, then 11 cm measurements. Solar measurements at 8.6 mm with the 10 m telescope. Pulsar observations at 21 cm |
| 1971 | 21 cm measurements at the 25 m telescope, statistical study of solar radio flux |
| 1972 | |
| 1973 | |
| 1974 | Solar measurements with new receiver at 35 GHz at 10 m telescope |
| 1975 | Only limited operation of the 25 m telescope, technical preparations at the 10 m telescope for simultaneous observation on 3 frequencies |
| 1976 | Intermittent operation of the 25 m telescope until October, then shutdown. Equipment of the 10 m telescope with a 17 GHz receiver, 21-cm survey |
| 1977 | 21 cm survey |
| 1978 | 21 cm survey |
| 1979 | 25 m telescope: observation of varying radio sources, from July 11 cm survey of the galactic plane |
| 1980 | 25 m telescope: observation-program on variable radio sources at 11 cm. 11 cm survey of the galactic plane, 21 cm survey |
| 1981 | Continuation of the 11 cm survey of the galactic plane |
| 1982 | Continuation of the 11 cm survey of the galactic plane. Test measurements for a planned 6 cm survey. |
| 1983 | Continuation of the 11 cm survey of the galactic plane. |
| 1984 | Continuation of the 11 cm survey of the galactic plane. |
| 1985 | Completion of the 11 cm survey |
| 1986 | Development of a 11 cm dual channel preamplifier |
| 1987 | 11 cm continuum observations with the new 11 cm system |
| 1988 | Further development work on sensitive uncooled 11 cm receiving systems |
| 1989 | Diploma theses, 11 cm |
| 1990 | |
| 1991 | |
| 1992 | |
| 1993 | |
| 1994 | Last diploma thesis: “90 tons to the point”. |
| 1995 | |
| 1996 |
Compilation of research and literature sources about the observatory (with kind permission of Mr. Willy Meyeroltmanns)
tabular listing of construction and research operations 1951 to 1979
tabular listing of research operations on the sun house 1963 to 1971
list of literary sources in connection with the Astropeiler
list of publications in regards to research conducted in the sun house at Stockert