Open House Day on 3 October, 2026

• Particle Tour: Where are the electron, quark & co. hiding? (Entrance hall)
• Experimenting with nitrogen (roof terrace)
• VR tour through a particle detector (room A.1.05)
• Selfie station with telescope mirror (gallery 1st floor)
• Telescope game: Hunters of blue light (Trainee workshop 1st floor)
• Experiment: How can you make a magnet levitate? (lab A.0.31)
• Experiment: Can you see particles with the naked eye? (lab A.0.33)

(Entrance hall; lab A.0.18)

The MPP is closely linked to CERN, the LHC accelerator and its experiments. Our long-standing director Werner Heisenberg played an important role in the founding of CERN. MPP researchers have been involved in the ATLAS experiment for over 30 years. ATLAS measures and analyzes particles that are produced when protons accelerated in the LHC collide with each other.

Over the next few years, the LHC and ATLAS will be rebuilt to be fit for the next decades of research. We explain the projects with which we are involved in this conversion. You can watch how components of a detector are assembled by a robot. We will also give you an insight into the exciting world of the smallest particles.

How is a new experiment created? So far, the axion particle only exists in theory. In order to get hold of it, our scientists have to come up with a lot of ideas: You can't see the particle, it doesn't smell and it doesn't make itself noticeable in any other way.

But under certain circumstances, it leaves a trail of radio waves. In the MADMAX laboratory, we show which waves are involved and how they can be made visible. And then there's a pool table - you will learn what it has to do with the experiment (Lab A.0.39).

Together with scientists of the RADES experiment you can test whether your eyes can see as well and as precisely as an Axion detector (room A.2.11).

(1st floor, room A1.05)

The Big Bang created as much matter as antimatter. Today's universe, however, consists almost exclusively of matter. Why did matter “win”? What happened to the antimatter? The Belle II experiment in Japan is investigating the decay of matter and antimatter particles in order to understand this imbalance.

We offer a virtual tour of Belle II: using VR glasses, you can navigate through the experimental hall and the detector - and see what happens when particles of matter and antimatter collide.

(2nd floor gallery and roof terrace; ground floor laboratory area)

Researchers are certain that dark matter exists. But nobody yet knows what it “looks like”, what particles are hidden behind it. There are two experiments at the MPI for Physics that are searching for this mysterious form of matter. Their operating temperature is almost -273 degrees, absolute zero. Among other things, liquid nitrogen is needed for these extremely cold temperatures.

You can try out all the other things you can freeze and produce with liquid nitrogen on our roof terrace. You can find out how the CRESST and COSINUS experiments search for dark matter on the 2nd floor in front of the roof terrace and in the laboratory area (Lab A.0.31). Please note: The lab will close at 16:00!

In our electronics research labs A.0.23 and A.0.27, we showcase electronic components and sensors. These enable telescopes to measure tiny signals from black holes—or allow specialized detectors to determine exactly what happens during particle collisions. You can try out for yourselves how distance sensors work.

In the electronics production area (A.0.53), you can marvel at a machine that fully automatically assembles printed circuit boards with electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, and circuits. Quality assurance plays a crucial role in this process: We demonstrate how we can use X-rays to look inside components to detect invisible defects such as soldering or component defects.

On the gallery of the assembly hall (B.1.02), we demonstrate how to cut metal using a laser (live demo) and a waterjet (video). With our lathes and milling machines (B.0.31), we can machine material from all sides and shape it to the desired form. This ensures that the components fit perfectly and can fulfill their intended functions in scientific experiments.

Before technical components can be manufactured, they must first be digitally designed. In our design department, you can try your hand at creating 3D scans and have your hand measured with precision.

The MPP trains young people in technical trades. Our apprentices showcase their current projects and demos—and provide information about the training process.

In the mechanical training workshop (B.1.05), we’ll demonstrate how to use an articulated robot for 3D printing. You can also play the game “Hunters of the Blue Light” to understand how telescopes detect gamma rays from distant cosmic objects. And we’ll show you how to use air pressure to create a mechanical drive.

We’ll guide you through our electronics training workshop (B.2.37), which is equipped with state-of-the-art technology: For example, you’ll see how electronic circuits can be simulated and tested in advance. For those with a more hands-on approach, we offer measurement and soldering training—under expert guidance, of course.