‘Star Wars’-Obsessed German Professor Repaints Observatory Into R2-D2

Scientists are always trying to find ways to get people interested in their work. For instance, a German professor has decided to give an observatory a major Star Wars-inspired makeover. The professor, along with some of his students, repainted the structure and made it look like a gigantic version of R2-D2.

Professor Hubert Zitt of Germany’s Zweibrücken University of Applied Sciences is known for using Star Wars and Star Trek in his lectures. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that Professor Zitt decided that it’s time for the Zweibrück Observatory of the Natural Science Association to get a new look. He enlisted the help of his father-in-law and some equally geeky students to help him paint the observatory to look like R2-D2.

The real R2-D2 guards his gigantic replica.

The project needed a lot of willing volunteers. Luckily, Professor Zitt’s father-in-law Horst Helle and master painter Klaus Ruffing were ready for the challenge. They teamed up with Professor Zitt’s students in painting the observatory.

The observatory’s awesome new look was finally completed in September 2018. Since then, there have been more visitors heading up to the Zweibrück Observatory in search of the gigantic mecha droid.

The professor and his team working on the observatory.

The makeover is so awesome that even Luke Skywalker couldn’t help but be amazed. Mark Hamill shared the news about the R2-D2 observatory on his Twitter account.

The observatory’s new look is certainly awesome but it’s also a fitting tribute to R2-D2. The little droid has been part of the Star Wars Universe right from the start and is expected to show up again in Star Wars: Episode IX.

Artoo was first introduced in 1977’s A New Hope along with C-3PO. The mecha droid is responsible for Luke Skywalker meeting Obi-Wan Kenobi and ultimately leaving Tatooine to kickstart the Skywalker Saga.

You can visit the Zweibrück Observatory in Zweibrücken, Germany. R2-D2 returns in Star Wars: Episode IX, which is scheduled for release on December 20, 2019.