SEDS Messier Database

Spider Homepage

MAA Astromaps and Constellation Pages Mirror of Chris Kronberg

A German version of this page is also available

Instruments I have used more frequently:

• My own instruments:
  • A 4.3-inch (11 cm) f/24.7 Schiefspiegler of Kutter's anastigmatic type (also look at some more Schiefspiegler info). Currently this instrument needs refurbishment, and again a good place for observing
  • Various binoculars of about 10x50 and smaller (including opera glasses of 2.5x25 which are still useful for many kinds of observation)
  • My first scope was a simple 10-30x30 zooming spective
  • I'm in process to obtain a short FL 4-inch refractor, suitable as easily portable scope
• Other instruments I can use at least occasionally:
  • The "Sternwarte Kreuzlingen" has a 19-inch (48 cm) Cassegrain telescope as well as a 5-inch (12.5 cm) and a 3.5-inch (9 cm) refractor on their large fork mount
  • The Interessengemeinschaft Astronomie at the University of Constance recently managed to get an observing place for the 6-inch (15 cm) f/10 refractor which was given to them on long-term lending basis
  • Members of the Interessengemeinschaft own a variety of astronomical instruments in a wide range of types and sizes, including several Dobsonians of about 14-inch (35 cm) size up, large binoculars, and more.

• Amateur activities, observations:
  • Occasional observation of all kinds of celestial objects
  • Visual observation of Mars; participation in Mars Watch projects in the 1970s and 1980s (not excluded in the future also)
  • Visual observation of deepsky objects (starting with a hunt-down of all Messier objects in the late 1970s and early 1980s with my Schief)
  
  Observed all 110 Messier objects
• Public (adult) education:
  • Introdutory astronomy courses at the "Volkshochschule" (official German adult aducation)
  • Organizing public events (public lectures, info stall) and bulletin board for the Interessengemeinschaft Astronomie, the amateur group at the Konstanz university
  • Occasional contributions to the local newspaper
• Organizing and contributing significantly to the Interessengemeinschaft Astronomie an der Universität Konstanz, a widely informal but active amateur group at our university.
• Studies of the History of Astronomy, astronomical catalogs, and more:
  • History of Deepsky Discovery
  • All stuff related to Charles Messier, his catalog, the objects in his catalog, and everything related to this field. Most of this stuff can be found online within the SEDS Messier pages.
  • Collecting, reviewing, and making available online deepsky observing lists and catalogs
• Internet activities:
  • Maintaining the Messier Catalog Online Database and the MAA Constellations Pages mirror at SEDS
  • Providing and contributing to various other activities (internet services) at SEDS. Look at my homepage for details. Thanks to the maintainers (Chris Lewicki and Guy McArthur) for providing the foundations for these services !
  • Contributions to Chris Kronberg's Munich Astro Archive; very particular thanks to Chris for her outstanding cooperation !
  • Contributions to various astronomical mailing lists and newsgroups
  • Using the Internet for obtaining astronomical and space-related information and materials
• Occasional contributions to newsletters throughout the world. At its time, I have also contributed observations to the Observer's Guide magazine.
• Professionally, I have done theoretical astronomy and astrophysics in the following fields:
  • Perturbation of planetary orbits
  • Gravitation theory, high-energy physics, relativity, cosmology (including astronomical implications, such as possible impact of particle physics on cosmology or the dark matter problem, or astronomical tests of gravitation theories)
  • Numerical simulations of galactic dynamics, in order to investigate certain aspects of galaxy (or cluster, or other) encounters

• German Vereinigung der Sternfreunde (since 1975)
  - Fachgruppe Geschichte der Astronomie (Section for the History of Astronomy)
• German Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt (since 1975)
• Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP)
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
• Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte in der Astronomischen Gesellschaft (AG)
• Interessengemeinschaft Astronomie an der Universität Konstanz
• SEDS