University Observatory Munich

The Universitätssternwarte München (USM) is home to excellent research and teaching in modern Astrophysics and Cosmology – since 1816.

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News
Events, Colloquia, Seminars
Research at the Observatory
Study at the Observatory
Student and Postdoc Representation at USM
Information for the interested Public
People
Gallery
History of the LMU Observatory
Occupancy of seminar rooms and lecture hall

News

19/02/2026 Cosmology: Measuring the expansion of the Universe with cosmic fireworks
Munich astronomers image and model extremely rare gravitationally lensed supernova. It as an unprecedented chance to determine the growth of the Universe.
03/12/2025 Cracks in the foundations of cosmology
The measurements no longer fit the theory: Scientists at LMU have made significant progress toward finding out whether these discrepancies can be cleared up, or whether they are rooted in more fundamental problems.
26/11/2025 University Observatory Munich official opening of second floor
University Observatory Munich celebrated the official opening of its newly constructed second floor

Events, Colloquia, Seminars

15 Oct

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25 Mar

15/10/2025 - 25/03/2026 LMU Astrophysics Colloquium winter semester 2025/26
The Astrophysics Colloquium takes place every Wednesday at 11:00 during the lecture period.
15 Apr

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30 Sep

15/04/2026 - 30/09/2026 LMU Astrophysics Colloquium summer semester 2026
The Astrophysics Colloquium takes place every Wednesday at 11:00 during the lecture period.
All News & Events

Research at the Observatory

Scientists at USM work in a wide variety of research areas, including extragalactic astronomy, cosmology, numerical astrophysics, extrasolar planets, stellar physics, and statistical data analysis including artificial intelligence.

Home to an excellent research environment

LMU's observatory continues to grow and is now hosting five different chairs and more than 10 individual research groups. And it is part of a network of four institutes for Astrophysics and Cosmology in and around Munich.

Wendelstein observations of Triangulum Galaxy

Research at USM

Wendelstein Observatory

Postdoctoral Research Opportunities at the Observatory

Visitors, employees and students should always experience a respectful environment at the Observatory. For that purpose we operate according to the standards set by the LMU anti-discrimination policy, and we constantly work to improve our implementation of the latter.

Resources

Study at the Observatory

The challenging degree programs at LMU and its Obervatory provide you with a research-oriented training in all areas relevant to modern Astrophysics. Join us and become an expert in gravitational dynamics, planet and star formation, cosmology, statistics, data science and machine learning.

A hands-on and diverse environment

Our degree programs are closely linked to the vibrant research activities taking place at USM and other Munich institutes for Astrophysics & Cosmology. Experience the international environment at LMU, and challenge yourself to become an expert in your field.

Further information for current and prospective students

Our Master's degree program in Astrophysics

Becoming a PhD student at the Observatory

Student and Postdoc Representation at USM

The Master, PhD and Postdoc representatives are teams of two MSc-Students, PhD-Students and Postdocs which represent and support the students and non-permanent staff-members at USM.

Student and Postdoc Representation