Germany's first telescope for radio astronomy, with a diameter of 25 m, was inaugurated on 17 September 1956 on the Stockert.

Until 1995 – since 1979 only for student training – it was used by the University of Bonn and the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy.

Between 1997 and 2004, the telescope was owned by the digital audio company Creamware and used for inspirational purposes and as a location for their musical festivals called Woodstockert.

[nb 1] In 1999 the installation was listed for its industrial heritage, and since 2005 it is owned by the Nordrhein-Westfalen-Stiftung (NRW-Stiftung), which in 2006 made available €300,000 for restoration.

Astronomical observations have been resumed in 2011, primarily for educational purposes.