Lecture in English

Friday, 3rd July 2026, 8 p.m.
Venue: Volkssternwarte (Munich Public Observatory), Rosenheimer Str. 145h, 81671 München

New Zealand is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and for offering some of the most pristine night skies in the Southern Hemisphere. Thanks to its low population density, light pollution is minimal, and in certain remote areas you can even experience truly dark conditions, where the sky appears in its purest form. What stunned me most was how rapidly the scenery changes. Every half hour of driving reveals an entirely new landscape, giving the country an extraordinary sense of diversity within relatively short distances. If you’re traveling to New Zealand with astrophotography in mind, the South Island should be your top priority. The regions around Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo are particularly exceptional. They are located within a designated International Dark Sky Reserve, providing some of the darkest and clearest skies on Earth. Because New Zealand sits further south than other famous dark-sky destinations such as Namibia, the Atacama Desert, or parts of Australia, southern constellations and celestial objects rise higher above the horizon. Even the Milky Way reveals a slightly different perspective, one that’s difficult to experience elsewhere. The idea of capturing these unique views filled me with excitement and that’s exactly what I hope to share with you.

If the skies are clear, guests are invited to visit our rooftop observatory after the talk and enjoy the views with our telescopes.

Tickets: € 10 / 7
Advance booking required due to limited number of seats.
Admission from 7:30 p.m.