Bochum Observatory, often known in Bochum as Cape Kaminski () is a research institute in Bochum, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. The institution came into being through a private initiative. Its main areas of interest are in radio astronomy and environmental research. History and accomplishments In 1946, Professor Heinz Kaminski founded Bochum Observatory as a popular observatory of the local Volkshochschule. Since 1957 and the launch of the first artificial satellite – Sputnik 1, whose signal was detected in Bochum – this developed into the Institute for Space Research / Observatory Bochum. It was renamed in 1982 as the Institute for Environment- and Future Research [Institut für Umwelt- und Zukunftsforschung (IUZ)]. Included among its new tasks are involvement with sociological und global ecological themes. It is a recognized and supported further education institution of the Land of Nordrhein-Westfalen. Its educational work is aided by the Landeszentrale for Political Education of the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Employment of the Land of Nordrhein-Westfalen. In 1999, Professor Heinz Kaminski nominated Thilo Elsner as his successor. Thilo Elsner has been at the Observatory since February 1995 and has contributed significantly to the maintenance and reconstruction of the attached radar dome Radome. The radar dome, which is supported by internal pressure, collapsed in October 1999 due to a large rip in the polyester skin. Heinz Kaminski died in 2002. In 2007, the observatory celebrated its 60th anniversary. In March 2009 the 20m parabolic antenna became the first successful planetary radar in western Europe when it detected its own echoes from the Planet Venus. As a result, the American Space Agency NASA has offered its assistance and in future will be sending relevant data to Bochum. Equipment The Institute today owns several antenna systems for receiving data from geostationary and orbiting satellites and interplanetary spacecraft. The development of astronomical topics as well as environmental themes and the study of its associated effects on society is promoted and made accessible to the public at large. This latter task is carried out with the help of a "Mobile Observatory", which consists among things of a high-precision satellite receiver. Recognized as working for the community, the Institute has worked since 1990 for the people of the Ruhr area as an institution for political education in the Land of Nordrhein-Westfalen. The IUZ's largest structure is the Radome (radar dome). This has a dome, supported by excess pressure from inside, which protects a