September 30, 2012
H.E.S.S. Open Day
at the Occasion of the
Inauguration of the H.E.S.S. II Telescope
- The Largest Telescope of its Kind - World Wide -
Arrangements
| The H.E.S.S. site can be reached by car in about 1 1/2 hours, via the C26 (see below), or using the bus transport organized by H.E.S.S. (see below). |
| Gamma-Ray Astronomers working on the telescopes will be present to show visitors around. |
| Please bring hats, suncream, sunglasses, closed shoes, as most of the tour will be in the sun. |
| Bring your cameras along. |
| Cold drinks and food will be available, or bring your own (but no barbecues, please!). |
| The tour of the telescopes is free of charge. |
| Booking in advance not necessary (except for bus transport, see below). |
For more information about the H.E.S.S. II telescope, and pictures, see the First Light press release, and the Astronomy Picture of the Day
See H.E.S.S web pages for background on the H.E.S.S. telescope system, on the technique and on the astronomy and astrophysics with H.E.S.S..
Bus transfer to the H.E.S.S. site on Oct. 30
A bus transfer from and to Windhoek will be available on Oct. 30, departing from and returning to UNAM (main campus). A transport contribution of N$ 40 is requested. Departure times will be at 8:00 and 10:00. Buses will return to UNAM at around 15:00 and 16:00. For reservations contact Isak Davids until Friday 28 September at noon: Tel: 081 330 4933 or 061 206 3789 or email: isak.davids@gmail.com .How to reach the H.E.S.S. site traveling with your own vehicle
The distance from Windhoek to the H.E.S.S. site on Farm Goellschau is 104 km, on a gravel road in a southwesterly direction. The road is maintained in regular intervals, and road quality varies with time since the last maintenance. The drive takes about 1 1/2 hours from the city center. Leave the city on Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue, passing the University of Namibia, and take road no. C26 to Walvis Bay. After 32 km, turn left to continue on C26 for another 72 km. The access to the H.E.S.S. site is through a gate about 0.5 km before the entrance to the farm Goellschau, on the right hand side, indicated by a sign. Follow the farm road for about 5 km, until you reach the telescopes.Back to inauguration web page