Saxony wants to score more points in space research. The German Center for Astrophysics is being built in Lusatia - and the region is being discussed as a location for the new Einstein telescope. A Saxon satellite called Saxon-1 is also being considered. But what about astronomy in schools? After all, knowledge about the world of stars and planets has not been taught as a separate subject for years.
How far is it to the horizon? Very few people know the answer to this question, explains Thomas Weisbach. For the long-time director of the Chemnitz school planetarium, the answer is simple: "We can only see about five kilometers."
The math and physics teacher has recently been able to pass on his astronomical knowledge again after the planetarium was closed for almost a year due to a lack of teachers. Knowledge about galaxies, seasons and celestial bodies is spread across different class levels and subjects in Saxony's schools, as Weisbach explains. The subject of astronomy itself has no longer existed since 2007.
