Hans Elsässer

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.