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Hans Elsässer

1929 – 2003

German astronomer

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About Hans Elsässer

Lived 1929 – 2003 (aged 74). Hans Elsässer was a German astronomer.

Hans Friedrich Elsässer (March 29, 1929 in Aalen – June 10, 2003 in Heidelberg) was a German astronomer and founding director of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg.

Elsässer carried out various rocket and balloon experiments that were necessary for the successful implementation of the Helios A and B and Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) projects. He also researched in the areas of interstellar matter, star formation, active galaxies and large-scale structures in the cosmos.

In 1962, Elsässer founded the German language popular science magazine Sterne und Weltraum (Stars and Space) together with Karl Schaifers and Rudolf Kühn. Elsässer remained co-editor until his death. In the 1960s, telescopes were in short supply in Germany. Elsässer worked intensively to eliminate this deficiency. In 1968, Elsässer was founding director of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Heidelberg, having been in contact with the Max Planck Society since 1964. Elsässer remained managing director of the MPIA until 1994. He retired in 1997.

In recognition of his achievements, the asteroid (4385) Elsässer was named after him.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
University of Tübingen
Awards
Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany; Honorary member of the Physics Association (Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

People in Hans Elsässer's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Hans Elsässer's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Hans Elsässer?

German astronomer

When was Hans Elsässer born?

Hans Elsässer was born on 29 March 1929.

When did Hans Elsässer die?

Hans Elsässer died on 10 June 2003 in Heidelberg.

What was Hans Elsässer's occupation?

Hans Elsässer was an astronomer.

What nationality was Hans Elsässer?

Hans Elsässer was German.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Hans Elsässer

· Wikidata: Q1000193

· DBpedia: Hans Elsässer

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Hans Elsässer. https://biography.guide/hans-elsasser/

MLA: "Hans Elsässer." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/hans-elsasser/.

Chicago: "Hans Elsässer." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/hans-elsasser/.

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