A Scientific Stroll Across the Telegrafenberg Potsdam

A Scientific Stroll across the Telegrafenberg Potsdam

Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz-Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Potsdam Research Unit

Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)

Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP)

Germany´s National Meteorological Service Potsdam (DWD) Photo: L. Hannemann A warm Welcome

to the “Albert Einstein Science Park” on the Te- Research (AWI) investigates the physical and legrafenberg in Potsdam, one of the most his- chemical processes of the polar atmosphere toric scientific sites in Germany! For 140 years together with the climate history and current this site has been home to research institutions environmental changes in permafrost areas in whose work has a worldwide impact. It was Siberia, North America and the Antarctic. The here that the world’s first Astrophysical Ob- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research servatory was built and that the scientific field (PIK) investigates the ecological, economic and of geodesy and the systematic measurement societal impacts of global climate change and of the Earth’s magnetic field were established. its risks and opportunities in order to provide Moreover, it is also one of the birthplaces of society, politicians and economists with sound German meteorology. Up to 1990 the Telegra- information for decision making for sustainable fenberg was also the site of the Central Institute development. of Physics of the Earth, which was founded in These three research institutions form the 1969, and today over 1 400 people are emplo- “Albert Einstein Science Park”. The Leibniz In- yed here in research institutions with a global stitute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) is based standing. As the national research centre for in Babelsberg and its key areas of research geosciences and a member of the Helmholtz are cosmic magnetic fields and extragalactic Association, the GFZ German Research Cen- astrophysics. It also develops and builds astro- tre for Geosciences combines all disciplines of nomical instruments and partners international Earth sciences including geodesy and geoengi- astrophysical observatories and satellite pro- neering under one roof. The focus of research jects. The AIP is responsible for the historically at the GFZ is “System Earth”, i.e. the overall significant Great Refractor telescope and the understanding of our planet with its interac- Einstein Tower solar observatory on the Tele- ting component parts as well as the physical, grafenberg. Finally Germany’s National Meteo- chemical and dynamic processes taking place rological Service (DWD) also has a radioactivity both within its interior and on its surface. The measurement station located here. Potsdam Research Unit of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine

3 The Telegrafenberg (“Telegraph Hill”) recei- the Vistula Ice Age (115 000 – 11 700 years ved its name in 1832, when the fourth of ago). At that time Scandinavia, the Baltic a total of 62 stations that comprised the Sea, parts of northern Germany and the Prussian Semaphore telegraphic commu- Alps and their northern foothills were co- nications system between Berlin and Ko- vered by glacier masses. A glacier tongue blenz was erected here. However, this sys- advanced across Potsdam through the tem was rendered obsolete in 1849 by the Havel alluvial plain to the level of where the introduction of electric telegraphy. village of Ferch stands today. A much wider The historic buildings on the Telegrafen- glacier also lay east of the Brauhausberg berg were built from 1874 as scientific buil- and the Telegrafenberg, which piled up dings based on designs by the architect stony sand as it advanced to form what Paul Emanuel Spieker. Spieker provided is today the Saarmund push moraine with the historic functional buildings with many the Telegrafenberg and the Brauhausberg. distinctive architectural features including The ice on both sides of this end moraine two-tone facade walls, star friezes created was several hundred metres thick. It did from glazed tiles and pillars with Corinthian not stand still but advanced and retrea- sandstone capitals. The multicolour faca- ted, pushing up the deposited sand du- des and their strong structure bear witness ring advances. Today the Telegrafenberg to the influence of Karl Friedrich Schinkel is 94 metres high and the entrance to the and elements of traditional gothic architec- Science Park stands 72 metres above ture built in bricks. sea level. In the 1990s buildings were erected on the We invite you to take a scientific stroll Telegrafenberg that both satisfy the requi- through the “Albert Einstein Science Park” rements of modern scientific constructions during which we will inform you about the whilst at the same time blend with the continuation of the scientific tradition in historic architecture and the surrounding state-of-the-art research facilities. landscape. Likewise the historic scientific You will find a map in the centre of this buildings were completely renovated and brochure. now house contemporary research infra- structure. The Telegrafenberg evolved into its current form around 20 000 years before present during the Brandenburg stage of

4 Historic map of the Telegrafenberg around 1890 around Historic map of the Telegrafenberg

5 Station 1 The “Albert Einstein Science Park”

Immediately after the decision of 1874 to station and gas supply followed, which al- establish scientific observatories on the Te- lowed for a self-sufficient operation of the legrafenberg construction work got under- campus. The park grounds, in an English way. One of the first buildings erected was landscape garden style, also had vegetable the pump room, located to the left of the garden areas. These were particularly im- main path on the site of the former service portant for supplying food after the Second yard. This well supplied the science park World War, and remained in existence until with drinking water. Later a separate power the 1980s.

Historic entrance to the Science Park, 6 photo: GFZ The pillar forum in front of the main entrance of the GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences, designed and created by the Kubach- Wilmsen team, photo: GFZ

Station 2 Pillar Forum, Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

The pillar forum is located between the main The pillars themselves are made of different building of the GFZ German Research Centre types of rock from five continents. They sym- for Geosciences and the lecture hall (House bolise the cores drilled from the underground. H). It was designed in 1998 by artists from These cores are indispensable for geoscientific the Kubach-Wilmsen team from Bad Münster. investigations and also offer an insight into the This work of art incorporates different types of deep layers of the Earth. rock from five continents, and represents the The tree, a robinia, symbolises living nature. It center’s worldwide activities. stands as a witness to past eras, unveiling e.g. The floor comprises blackened dolerite slabs. processes of climate development. The square These symbolise the Earth’s crust: scientists is an artistic representation of a structured at the GFZ study the movement of the Earth’s rock. The rock configuration provides informa- crust within the research topic “plate tectonics”. tion about the early magnetic field of the Earth The joinings between the slabs indicate measu- – a focus of palaeomagnetism research at the rement lines. At the GFZ the research field “ge- GFZ. The corner which stands separately sym- odesy” deals with measuring the planet Earth. bolises a recovered soil sample.

7 Aerial photograph of the GFZ buildings B-G, photo: JokeAir

Station 3 GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

As the largest non-university research instituti- interactive touchable screen that allows planet on in Brandenburg, the GFZ currently employs Earth to appear in a new light through a modern more than 1200 people. Some 500 employees visualization of Earthquake data. work in the main building complex while other The buildings were designed by the “Architek- GFZ scientists are based in other buildings on tenpartner Frankfurt”. Construction work was the Telegrafenberg. A wide range of experimental completed and the buildings occupied in 1998. research is conducted across 5000 square met- The characteristic style elements (yellow clinker, res of state-of-the-art laboratory space. In addi- red decorative strips, grey roofs) are inspired tion, the GFZ avails of over 4500 square metres by construction features of the historic institute of office space.The entire complex comprises of buildings. At the same time, the building com- six buildings linked with a glass bridge structure. plex blends into the natural environment: at no At the western end a laser satellite observation point do the eaves rise above the treetops. Just station measures satellites’ orbits. In the foyer of opposite the main entrance is the lecture hall the eastern building (House G) a small exhibition complex, comprised of conference rooms, a of historic instruments is located along with an canteen and a 300-seat lecture hall.

8 Station 4 Süring House, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and National Meteorological Service (DWD)

The Royal Meteorological Observatory, as it was Süring. Together with his colleague Arthur Ber- then known, was built between 1890 and 1893. son, the cloud and radiation researcher achie- Since 2007 Süring House has been used by the ved a record balloon ascent of 10 800 metres Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in 1901. However, it was only possible to prove (PIK) and Germany´s National Meteorological an ascent of 10 500 metres because their re- Service (DWD), which continues to carry out cording ink froze so the barograph record was meteorological measurements. In addition to the considered unreliable. At 8000 metres, however, long-term measurement site (station 5), the em- the men made a key discovery for research: that ployees here also use a measurement platform from around 8000 metres the air temperature on the 32-metre-high tower in the north-west rises again and the atmosphere is divided. The corner of the building. Wind, sunshine duration, transition between the troposphere and the stra- visibility and radiation are measured here. Howe- tosphere had been discovered. In a neighbou- ver, environmental scientists from the PIK, in par- ring building (the former laundry) is a small mu- ticular from the “Earth System Analysis” and “Cli- seum of the history of the Telegrafenberg, Süring mate Impacts & Vulnerabilities” research fields, House and meteorology in general. Visits to the work in most of the rooms in this house. museum, which evolved from a PIK school pro- Süring House is named after the former Direc- ject, can be booked in advance by groups and, tor of the Meteorological Observatory, Reinhard in particular, by school classes.

The historic Meteorological Observatory, photo: PIK

9 Station 5 Former Servants’ Quarters, Airborne Radioactivity Measurement, DWD

In 2010 the radioactivity measuring station of weatherproof structural steel whose brown sur- Germany’s National Meteorological Service face shimmers like a layer of rust accumulated (DWD) was transferred from Berlin Tempelhof over decades. Airport, which is now closed, to the Telegra- On the other side of the road is the long-term fenberg. The station on the Telegrafenberg is meteorological station. Since 1893 meteorolo- one of 48 DWD weather and aviation weather gical measurments have been continously per- stations and performs extensive monitoring as formed here on an hourly basis. This measure- a radioactivity measuring station. The station is ment series is one of the longest in the world housed in the historic servants’ quarters. This taking measurements at such short intervals. building was completely restored by the DWD in accordance with its status as a listed building and transformed into a new laboratory clad in

The historic servants‘ quarters with a modern annex, 10 today a GMS airborne radioactivity measuring station, photo: GFZ Paleomagnetic laboratory, photo: GFZ

Station 6 The former Magnetic Variation House, Laboratory for Paleo- and Rock Magnetism, GFZ

Built in 1888, this building was originally part of The electrification of Potsdam disturbed obser- the “Potsdam Meteorological Magnetic Obser- vation of the Earth’s magnetic field on the Tele- vatory” and was used to measure the Earth’s grafenberg to such an extent that in 1907 the magnetic field. variation recordings had to be moved to Seddin Its construction was completely out of keeping and subsequently, in 1930, to Niemegk, where with the architectural design concept for the the GFZ continues to operate one of four mag- Science Park because for scientific reasons it netic observatories in Germany. was not possible to use ferrous materials such Today this building is used by the GFZ working as nails, bricks and cement. The magnetic vari- group on paleomagnetism, which conducts ation house was built with Wefensleben sands- research on the Earth’s magnetic field as do- tone. The sandstone blocks are cut so that they cumented in rock samples dating back millions grip together like a mosaic, while Rüdersdorf of years. lime was used as a binding agent for the joints.

11 Station 7 Small Refractor, PIK

In 1887 Potsdam’s astronomers agreed to take fell into disrepair until it was renovated in ac- part in the production of the “Carte du Ciel”, a cordance with listed monument requirements in comprehensive photographic map of the sky. 2011 by the PIK. Today the building is used for The sky above Potsdam was photographed scientific and artistic events. using a double telescope in the purpose-built Next door to this building you can view a repro- “Small Refractor”; the map of the stars, howe- duction of an optical telegraph (p. 3/4). ver, was never completed. In 1945 the telescope was taken to Pulkowa in Russia and the building

Small Refractor and reproduction of an optical telegraph, photo: R. Hanna 12 The main building of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, photo: PIK

Station 8 The former Royal Observatory for Astrophysics, Michelson House, PIK

On the highest point of the Telegrafenberg is the breaking interferometer experiment for the first former head office of the Royal Observatory for time in 1881 in the building’s basement (see also Astrophysics – the world’s first Observatory for the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam). Astrophysics –, which came into service in 1879. The experimental design has been reconstruc- The building consists of two main wings. The ted on the original site in the basement of the north wing lies with its long axis on a meridian building. It was also in this building that the sci- level. The north tower once served as a water entist Ernst Rebeur-Paschwitz made the world’s tower while the three domes were equipped with first record of a distant Earthquake in 1889. telescopes and were mainly used to observe the In 1992 the Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam sun. From a historic perspective, the building (AIP) was established in this building. Following is famous above all for one of its directors, the the transfer of its headquarters to Babelsberg astronomer and physicist Karl Schwarzschild, the building underwent extensive restoration. In who, in 1916, found a first approach to the solu- the autumn of 2001 the Potsdam Institute for Cli- tion of the redshift of light in the gravity field of the mate Impact Research (PIK) moved in. It addres- sun as demanded by Einstein’s Theory of Relati- ses crucial scientific and societal questions in vity. It was named Michelson House in honour of the fields of global change, climate impacts and Albert A. Michelson, who carried out his ground- sustainable development.

13 A Scientific Stroll across the “Albert Einstein Science Park” Telegrafenberg Potsdam

House B

Laboratory for Süring House

Paleomagnetism A58 Meteorological House C The “Trefoil” Station (DWD) 6 A62 e for Geosciences A56 5

A61 House D

ch Centr

4 Small Refractor 10 House E 7 A32 Einstein 11 House H House F Tower A22 Lecture Hall GFZ German Resear Canteen 3 9 8 A27 A31 House G

Great Michelson House Refractor 2

Helmert Tower A7

13 12 A17 14 Helmert House 1 AWI A45 A4 A14 0 Entrance A .-E inst 050 100 m ein-Str.

14 1 Introduction “Albert Einstein Science Park”

Pillar Forum, Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – 2 GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

3 Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences House B Süring House, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Laboratory for 4 Süring House Research (PIK) and National Meteorological Service (DWD)

Paleomagnetism A58 Meteorological House C The “Trefoil” Station (DWD) 6 A62 e for Geosciences Former Servants’ Quarters, A56 5 5 Airborne Radioactivity Measurement, DWD A61 House D

ch Centr 6 The former Magnetic Variation House, 4 Small Refractor Laboratory for Paleo- and Rock Magnetism, GFZ 10 House E 7 7 Small Refractor, PIK A32 Einstein 11 House H House F Tower A22 Lecture Hall GFZ German Resear The former Royal Observatory for Astrophysics, Canteen 3 8 9 8 Michelson House, PIK A27 A31 House G The Great Refractor, Leibniz Institute Great Michelson House 9 Refractor 2 for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP)

Helmert 10 Energy-efficient new building for PIK – Tower the “Trefoil” A7 11 Einstein Tower, AIP 13 12 A17 12 The former Geodetic Institute, 14 Helmert House, GFZ Helmert House 1 AWI A45 A4 A14 0 13 The Helmert Tower and Meridian House Entrance A .-E inst Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre 050 100 m ein-Str. 14 for Polar and Marine Research (AWI)

15 Station 9 The Great Refractor, Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP)

The Great Refractor was inaugurated in 1899 in highlight was the discovery of interstellar matter the presence of the Emperor Wilhelm and today by Johannes Hartmann. Hartmann concluded belongs to the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics from the analysis of spectra of binary stars that Potsdam. It remains the fourth-largest lens te- the space between the stars is not empty, but lescope in the world and bears witness to the permeated by gas and dust. The Great Refractor mechanical capabilities of the time and the as- was damaged in an air raid in 1945 and resto- trophysical research that was taking place – in red in 1953 before scientific research using the particular in the field of spectoscopy. equipment ceased completely in 1968. It was The telescope is a double refractor with two te- only thanks to the efforts of the Great Refractor lescopes fixed securely together on a parallactic Appreciation Association (“Förderverein Großer mount. The larger tube has an 80 centimetres Refraktor Potsdam e.V.”), which was founded in objective and a focal length of 12.2 metres. The 1997, and generous donations, that an extensi- smaller tube, intended for visual observations, ve restoration project was carried out and a fully- has an objective diameter of 50 centimetres and functional listed telescope was finally unveiled a focal length of 12.5 metres. The diameter of the in 2006. Today the Great Refractor is regularly 200-ton rotating dome is 21 metres. A scientific open for tours and observation nights.

The Great Refractor, 16 photo: AIP The Trefoil, photo: PIK

Station 10 Energy-efficient new building for PIK – the “Trefoil”

In the middle of a small clearing, you can see basement of the building, there is an integrated a recently-built new – energy-wise highly in- high-performance computer with a capacity of novative – research building. Here natural and 212 billion operations per second (teraflops). At social scientists from the Potsdam Institute the time of purchase, it was one of the 400 fas- for Climate Impact Research (PIK) work in test high-performance computers worldwide. close cooperation to investigate global clima- The waste heat from this computer is used to te change and its ecological, economic and heat the entire new research building. Various social consequences. The wooden façade different methods and materials have been and the floor plan, which is similar to a trefoil, used to insulate the outer walls, the efficiency allow for the house to look less bulky and to of which are being monitored over the years in a blend in harmoniously with the woods. The new research project conducted by the Technische modern building not only houses at least 200 Universität Dresden. scientists on four floors, but is also home to the Potsdam Institute’s new supercomputer. In the

17 Station 11 Einstein Tower, AIP

The Einstein Tower is the first major building experimental confirmation of Einstein’s theo- designed by the architect Erich Mendelsohn ry only came much later. In 1999 the Einstein and was erected between 1919 and 1924 in Tower underwent a comprehensive renovation partnership with the physicist Albert Einstein with the support of the Wüstenrot Foundation. and the astronomer Erwin Finlay Freundlich. It is still used by AIP researchers for scientific The solar observatory is a functional building purposes today, principally for the testing of in- that until World War II was the most scientifi- struments that will be used in modern solar te- cally important solar telescope in Europe. The lescopes on Tenerife. The tower telescope with opening of the Einstein Tower in 1924 marked a 63 centimetre aperture and spectrograph the start of a new era of solar research in with a long focal length still comprise a very Potsdam and Germany. effective solar research facility and are housed The Einstein Tower was originally built to mea- in the underground laboratories. Sunlight is sure the redshift of spectral lines in the sun’s captured by the two mirrors – coelostats – gravitational field, as predicted by Einstein in installed in the rotating dome. A third mirror in his General Theory of Relativity. However, solar the basement then redirects the light horizon- convection resulted in a corresponding blue tally into the spectrographs. shift, interfering with the predicted effect, so

The Einstein Tower, photo: R. Hanna

18 Helmert House, photo: GFZ

Station 12 The former Geodetic Institute, Helmert House, GFZ

This brick building in the neo-classical style was vitational forces on the surface of the Earth’s inaugurated in 1892 as the main building of the ellipsoid, can be regarded as the founder of former Geodetic Institute. It was designed as geodetic science. Today a memorial to Helmert a purpose-built science building, constructed stands north of the building on the Helmertweg. on an individual foundation, with thermally ad- The Potsdam value for the gravitational force justable measuring rooms (to prevent alteration of the Earth, the “Potsdam gravity value”, was of the length of the gravity pendulums through measured in the Geodetic Institute from 1898 thermal expansion), and separate office work- to 1904 and was the international reference va- shop rooms and conference rooms. lue from 1909 to 1971. Under its Director, Friedrich Robert Helmert Today the building houses the GFZ Satellite (1843 – 1917), the Institute swiftly gained a working group and the joint library of the “Albert worldwide reputation. Helmert, who worked Einstein Science Park”. out a formula for the normal distribution of gra-

19 Helmert Tower, with the busts of Sigmund Jähn and Valeri Bykowski in the foreground, photo: GFZ

Station 13 The Helmert Tower and Meridian House

Built in 1892/93, the “Observatory for Geo contained pillars for horizontal and zenith tele- detic-Astronomical Angle Measurements” scopes. These were calibrated with the assis- consists of the Helmert Tower, the Meridian tance of mirare houses (small corrugated iron House and the Instrument House. These were buildings used to adjust the meridian circle). On the measurement buildings of the Geodetic the lawn between the Helmert Tower and the Institute. The Helmert Tower with its rotating Helmertweg is a stele bearing the inscription: dome was used for the remote measurement “Together on Earth and in Space.” The busts of geodetic angles and was the zero point in of the first German in space, Sigmund Jähn, the Prussian Geodetic Network. and his Russian colleague, Valeri Bykowski, Only one of the two Meridian houses that stood commemorate their joint space flight in 1978. here still remains today. These small corrugated iron buildings on a precise north-south axis

20 Station 14 Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Potsdam Research Unit

In 1992, with the founding of the Potsdam Re- haven. The two building complexes, to the left search Unit of the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), and right, were designed by architect Reiner the German reunification of polar research was Becker, and were officially opened in 2017. The complete. Together with the villas located on modern and old AWI buildings contain offices the opposite side of the path, today’s AWI buil- for more than 100 scientists and administrative Helmert Tower, with the busts of dings form a small polar research campus on staff, as well as laboratories, storage rooms and Sigmund Jähn and Valeri Bykowski the Telegrafenberg. The central building section large preparation rooms for expeditions. The in the foreground, photo: GFZ was officially opened in 1999. The building was big base floor on the north-facing side is also planned by architect Oswald M. Ungers, who accessible to trucks. also designed the AWI headquarters in Bremer-

Alfred Wegener Institute, photo: GFZ

21 The institutes in the “Albert Einstein Science Park”

Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Potsdam Research Unit

Polar research was first conducted in Potsdam regions in the global climate system.The polar in the 19th century and is closely associated regions play a key role in the development of with the development of the observatories the global environment and climate in the Earth on the Telegrafenberg. The Meteorological- System: The polar regions with their immen- Geomagnetic Observatory and the Geodetic se ice caps, vast sea ice areas, and terrestrial Institute played a key role in providing advice permafrost regions are particularly sensitive to and technical support, for example, to the An- atmospheric alterations. tarctic expeditions of Robert F. Scott (1910 – The research field “Atmospheric Research” 1912), to the north-east Greenland expedition makes use of the polar atmosphere as an early (1906 – 1908) of Alfred Wegener and to Roald warning system for global change. The main Amundsen’s polar voyage through the North- objective of the different projects is to mea- West Passage on the “Gjöa” (1903 – 1907). sure, record and model the key physical and Founded in 1992, the Potsdam Research Unit chemical processes of the atmosphere-ocean- of the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) pools the ice climate system and assess their role in the experience of east German polar researchers development of the global environment and the who previously were mainly active in Antarctica climate. with the research spectrum of the Alfred Wege- The “Periglacial Research” working group stu- ner Institute, which is focused on the Antarctic dies the increased thawing of permafrost in the and Arctic. Arctic, which leads to coastal erosion, changes The scientific work of the approximately 140 in the landscape and an increase in the release employees, student trainees and guests at the of climate-relevant trace gases. Potsdam Research Unit is mainly focused on Changes in the tundra and taiga vegetation, analysing and modelling the role of the polar ecology and climate fluctuations in the past are the focus of the research field “Polar Terrestrial Environment Systems”.

Permafrost landscape in the Lena Delta, Sibiria, photo: H. Meyer, AWI 22 The institutes in the “Albert Einstein Science Park”

Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

Potsdam has a tradition in geosciences stret- measurement networks; in the tomography of ching back over 100 years. By the end of the the Earth, using geophysical deep-sounding 19th century the city already enjoyed a global techniques; in undertaking research drilling; in reputation in the fields of geodesy and gravity laboratory and experimental technology; in mo- research and the work of the GFZ is in keeping delling geo-processes and in developing early with this tradition. The object of research at the warning systems for geo hazards. GFZ is the Earth System – our planet, on and GFZ’s long-term aim is to understand the highly from which we live. The GFZ studies the history complex, non-linear system of the Earth and its of the Earth and its characteristics, as well as interactive natural subsystems with their over- the processes which occur on its surface and lapping cycles and widely ramified chains of within its interior. It also investigates the many cause and effect, to comprehend the extent of interactions which exist between the various global change and its regional effects, and to parts of the system, the geosphere, the hydro evaluate the influence of human activity on the sphere, the atmosphere and the biosphere. “System Earth”. Only on this basis, using a tho- The GFZ, which currently has a staff of more rough understanding of systems and proces- than 1200 employees, is the National Research ses, will it be possible to develop strategies and Centre for Earth Sciences in Germany. demonstrate options, e.g. to preserve natural The GFZ, as a Helmholtz Centre, covers all resources and to exploit them in a sustainable disciplines of geosciences, from geodesy to way, to guard against natural disasters and to geo-engineering, working in close interdisci- reduce their risks, to sustainably utilise our ha- plinary union with the associated sciences of bitat, both above and below the ground, and physics, mathematics and chemistry, and with to cope with changes to the climate and the associated disciplines in engineering such as environment. rock mechanics, hydraulic engineering and seismological engineering. GFZ’s core areas of expertise lie in developing and applying satellite technologies and space-based measurement procedures; in operating geodetic-geophysical

An unusual view: the gravity field of our planet, 15,000-fold magnification - the „Potsdam Gravity Potatoe“, photo: GFZ 23 The institutes in the “Albert Einstein Science Park”

Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)

The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Re- of social processes. PIK members publish their search (PIK) was founded in 1992 and currently research findings in professional journals and has a staff of around 300 members. At PIK, re- advise policymakers in Germany and abroad. In searchers in the natural and social sciences from addition to the Federal Government of Germa- all over the world work together to study global ny, the European Commission and a number of change and its impacts on ecological, economic other governments, international organisations and social systems. This Interdisciplinary ap- such as the World Bank also benefit from the proach is a distinctive characteristic of the ins- institute’s expertise. Through institutions like the titute. Researchers examine the Earth System’s Climate-KIC (Knowledge and Innovation Com- capacity for withstanding human interventions munity) of the European Institute of Innovation and devise strategies and options for a sustaina- and Technology (EIT), whose German branch ble development of humankind and nature. This was founded with PIK support, the institute is solution-oriented approach is a second distincti- in continuous exchange with the business com- ve characteristic. Research at PIK is organised in munity. four Research Domains: Earth System Analysis, Understanding climate change and its impacts Climate Impacts and Vulnerabilities, Sustainable is a huge task that no institution or country can Solutions and Transdisciplinary Concepts & Me- tackle alone. PIK is part of a global network of thods. scientific and academic institutions working on PIK generates fundamental knowledge for sus- questions of global environmental change. PIK tainable development primarily through data plays an active role in activities such as the In- analysis and computer simulations of the dy- tergovernmental Panel on Climate Change namic processes in the Earth system, but also (IPCC), also known as the world’s climate coun- cil, whose working group on the mitigation of climate change was coordinated by PIK researchers until 2015. The PIK is also a member of the Earth League, an international alliance of leading scientists from prestigious institutes, who work together to find solutions to some of the most urgent problems facing humanity in the field of sustainability.

PIK investigates complex networks and dynamic processes in natural and social systems, chart: Norbert Maiwan The institutes in the “Albert Einstein Science Park”

The Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP)

The Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam In 1881 Albert A. Michelson performed for the (AIP) is one of Germany’s leading astrophy- first time his interferometer experiment at the sical research institutions and its key areas of AOP that was of pivotal importance for Albert research are cosmic magnetic fields and extra- Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity. In 1904 galactic astrophysics. These fields are closely Johannes Hartmann recorded stellar spect- connected through the application of related ra using the Great Refractor, an achievement mathematical and physical methods as well as that led to the discovery of interstellar matter. joint instrumentation projects. A considerable In 1916 Karl Schwarzschild provided the first part of the institute’s work is devoted to the de- exact solution to the fieldequations of the ge- velopment of research technology in the fields neral theory of Relativity, today referred to as of spectroscopy, robotic telescopes, and e-sci- “Schwarzschild Solution”. ence. The AIP is partnering the world’s largest optical telescope project, the Large Binocular Telescope in Arizona. Robotic telescopes deve- loped by the AIP on Tenerife permit automated observation with self-learning instruments. With its computer resources the Institute is involved in e-science activities nationally and internationally. As the successor of the Berlin Observatory founded in 1700 and of the Ast- rophysical Observatory of Potsdam founded in 1874 – the world’s first observatory to empha- size explicitly the research area of astrophysics and which was situated on the Telegrafenberg – the AIP looks back on a long-standing tradition in Potsdam. The Institute was founded in 1992 as the Astrophysical Institute Potsdam and be- came part of the Leibniz Association. In 2011 the AIP was renamed to the “Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam”.

Sunspot recorded in July 2014 with the broadband imager of the GREGOR solar telescope on Tenerife, photo: AIP 25 Address: Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam

Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) Potsdam Research Unit Building: AWI, A45 Contact: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Diekmann Tel.: +049 331 288 21 00 http://www.awi.de/en/institute/sites/potsdam/ E-Mail: Bernhard.Diekmann @awi.de

Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences Buildings: GFZ, House B-G, Helmert House (A17) Contact: Josef Zens Tel.: +049 331 288 10 40 www.gfz-potsdam.de; E-Mail: [email protected]

Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) Buildings: Michelson House (A31), Süring House (A62) Small Refractor (A32), Trefoil (A56) Contact: Jonas Viering, Mareike Schodder and Sarah Messina Tel: +049 331 288 25 07 www.pik-potsdam.de, E-Mail: [email protected]

Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) (Headquartered in Potsdam-Babelsberg) Buildings: Einstein Tower (A22), Great Refractor (A27) Contact: Dr. Janine Fohlmeister Telefon: +049 331 74 99-0 www.aip.de, E-Mail: [email protected]

Germany’s National Meteorological Service (DWD) Buildings: Measurement site, air radioactivity measuring station (A61) Contact: Ralf Schmidt Tel.: +049 331 62 64 99 90 www.klima-potsdam.de, E-Mail: [email protected]

26 Imprint

Publisher: Albert Einstein Science Park Telegrafenberg 14473 Potsdam

Editorial supervision: R. Nestler, F. Ossing, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences Translation: Tilti Systems SIA, Mary Teresa Lavin-Zimmer

Layout: Grit Schwalbe, GFZ

Print: Arnold Group, Großbeeren

Cover page illustration: Einstein Tower (model sketches by E. Mendelsohn)

Edition: 02/2018