Kuhberg Observatory

Looking from Kuhberg into outer space
The Observatory
Bad Kreuznach's window to outer space opens up on Kuhberg. Since 1986, the association "Sternwarte Bad Kreuznach e.V." has maintained a public observatory, making the fascination of space accessible to interested individuals of all ages. The periodic flyby of Halley's Comet, occurring every 76 years, sparked the founding of the association. The 40 members initially invested in building professional equipment, with their greatest pride being the solar telescope. Throughout the year, every Sunday, one can observe the solar surface at varying wavelengths using different filters and also discover the matter at the edge of the solar surface (prominences). Additionally, the observatory opens to experience special phenomena in the starry sky: e.g., the blood moon, the Perseids, or Mars at close proximity to Earth. These events pique curiosity about the mysteries of outer space, just like Astronights or Astronomy Day.
A special highlight for kids (and moms and dads) is rocket building. One afternoon, under guidance, cardboard models about 40 cm tall are constructed. These are equipped under supervision with a propellant and a fuse. The pupils of the young rocket builders widen as the projectiles soar up to 150 meters high.
Groups can also book lectures, where children and teenagers are again an important target group for the format "Journey into the Universe". A lecture program highlights scientific developments – inquiring about the discovery of new planets or other life in the universe. The observatory is located on the mountain, but the star friends are also present in the valley. There, they have created a planetary path. It starts with the sun at Roseninsel, follows the Nahe River upstream, and ends at Pluto after 5.9 kilometers before the Rotenfels near Ebernburg. Both the size of the sun and the eight planets, as well as their distances from each other, are represented on a scale of one to one billion. Thus, the sun has a diameter of 1.4 meters, while Pluto measures three millimeters. On the walk, one vividly learns that our Earth is an oasis in the inhospitable outer space. 
Public transport: Line 203, stop Kuhberg (Mon-Fri) or Tierheim (Sat, Sun, public holidays). From Tierheim, it's a 20-minute walk, and from Kuhberg, it's a 30-minute walk towards Schoß Rheingrafenstein, from there continue towards the observatory (signposted).