Astrophysicist Harald Lesch: A life for the universe and science!

Astrophysicist Harald Lesch: A life for the universe and science!

München, Deutschland - The renowned astrophysicist and science journalist Harald Lesch has made a striking name in the world of science and the media. Today, on June 20, 2025, the ARD illuminates its remarkable career and its activities in science placement. Lesch, born on July 28, 1960 in Gießen, is a professor of theoretical astrophysics at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich and also teaches natural philosophy at the University of Philosophy S.J. in Munich. Its main research areas include cosmic plasmaphysics, black holes and neutron stars, which not only gave him academic recognition, but also a general public through his media appearances.

as a member of the commission "Astronomy in class and teaching" Lesch is also committed to promoting astronomy in the field of education. He became known for the television program Alpha-Centauri , in which he brought the basic features of the universe as well as distant galaxies and the solar system closer to the spectators. This series of series, which was broadcast from 1998 to 2007, has inspired numerous people for science.

a life for science

Harald Lesch comes from an innkeeper family in Nieder-Ohmen, Hesse, where his father worked as a high-powered electrician. Despite initial difficulties in school, which were shaped by conveyor lessons in mathematics and a serious bicycle accident, Lesch managed to acquire the Abitur in 1978. His academic career took him to the Justus Liebig University in Gießen and the University of Bonn, where he completed his physics diploma in 1984. In 1987 he received his doctorate at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy.

Between 1988 and 1995 Lesch worked in various scientific positions, including as a research assistant at the State Observatory Heidelberg-Königstuhl and as a research assistant at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn. In 1992 he spent time as a visiting professor at the University of Toronto and habilitated in 1994 at the University of Bonn. In 2010 he was given in honor of the Asteroid (35357) Haraldlesch.

commitment in society

From 1995 Lesch is a professor of astrophysics at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich and at the same time as an expert on astrophysics of the German Research Foundation (DFG). In addition to his academic obligations, Lesch is active in public. He organizes various scientific discourses and participated in valley rounds, including a discussion about UFOs in 1994. It is particularly important to him issues such as climate change and the role of electric cars, for which he expressed different opinions over the years.

His commitment is also evident in his role in the Advisory Board of the Heraeus Education Foundation and in the Bavarian Climate Commerce. In 2023, Lesch participated in demonstrations to protest the procedure against the environmental protection movement of the last generation. In addition, together with others, he operates the YouTube channel Big Bang, University and the Life , which also contributes to the popularization of science.

Harald Lesch is not only academically successful, but also active as an author. He has published numerous books and audio books that deal with the topics of astrophysics and philosophy. Lesch sees no contradiction in science and religion, which makes him a sought -after speaker in interdisciplinary discussions. His charisma and expertise make him a key figure in modern science communication.

At the end, it is important to honor Harald Lesch's influence on science and society. His merits as a science journalist and teacher have contributed to making complex scientific topics understandable to a broader public.

For more information about Harald Lesch please visit the ARD Mediathek at ARD Mediathek and the Wikipedia page wikipedia .