Order of Merit for Ralf Bender

End of March, MPE director Ralf Bender received the Order of Merit 1st Class of the Federal Republic of Gemany from State Sekretary Sibler for his fundamental contributions to the understanding of the structure of galaxies and the measurement of black hole masses, as well as for his important role in the development of astronomical instruments (OmegaCAM, KMOS), telescopes (Wendelstein 2m telescope, Hobby-Eberly Telescope) and satellites (ESA mission EUCLID). Further motivation was his commitment to international cooperation, to the education of students and young scientists and public outreach (in particular in connection with the Wendelstein Observatory).