History of Kanzelhöhe Observatory

In the Thirties of the last century knowledge about radio propagation evolved and it became obvious that the Ionosphere, and therefore the Sun, influences it. So the former German "Luftwaffe" founded some observatories to get information about these effects. One of these observatories was Kanzelhöhe. The location was chosen because the area was reachable all over the year (cablecar) and had good observing conditions. Also it is near a city (Villach). 1943 the construction works were started and after a short time observations with a quite modern equipment could begin. Also the construction of the third observing dome on the top of Gerlitzen began, but was not completed before the end of the war. At that time plans existed to build a whole village on Kanzelhöhe with personal houses. Also a coronograph should extend the technical equipment. But unfortunately the Sovjet army confiscated the equipment and took it with them. Last but not least electricity and telephone lines were build and so the development after the war was much easier.

Kanzelhöhe Observatory in the year 1951

Sonnenvilla

After WW2 the observatory was reorganized and affiliated to Graz University as a new institute. The official conferment was in the year 1949 after the founding of the second republic. Engineers of the royal army built a second dome on top of Gerlitzen for solar corona observations. In the meantime all the staff lived in the observatory while the "Sonnenvilla" was built (finished 1952). Today the Sonnenvilla is the guesthouse of the observatory.
1965/66 the observatory building was modificated and extended. The second dome, which stood separately was integrated. Also a workshop, an optical laboratory and a precision mechanics studio was equipped. Instrumentation for chromospheric observations was built and in 1972 installed in the second dome. 1975 the Institute of Astronomy and the observatory merged and in 2000 the new "Institut für Geophysik Astrophysik und Meteorologie" arise out of the consolidation of the institutes of geophysics and astronomy. From 1989 to 1991 a further extension to the building was erected. In this part the library with a seminar room was placed. Also laboratories and a fireproof and air-conditioned archives were installed. Next to the observatory there is a heliostat with solar panels. It was constructed 1989 and is operated by local power companies and the electronic industry for test purposes.