In its original blank state, an observatory in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany was practically begging for a Star Wars-themed paint job. It was already the perfect shape for its transformation into one of the space epic’s most beloved characters; all it took was a fresh coat of white and a few new blue markings.
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Hubert Zitt, an electrotechnology professor at the Zweibrücken University of Applied Sciences, was already known for injecting his lectures with a little pop culture flavor when he decided to take on the project. He’s spent the last few decades traveling the world, speaking at sci-fi conventions on the scientific realism (or lack thereof) in fictional worlds. He even has a class called “The Physics of Star Trek,” where he explores such topics as the feasibility of beaming and warp-drive technologies.
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So it’s no surprise that, upon considering how to bring more visitors to the observatory, his first thought was an R2D2 paint job. Zitt brought together a team of volunteer painters, including his father and some of his students, to complete the transformation in late 2018.
R2-D2 Observatory Transformed Germans Into Giant Nerds https://t.co/s4vUwKGxEP via @LaughingSquid
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) March 22, 2019
Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, brought attention to the project on Twitter, rewriting Laughing Squid’s headline to make sure those responsible know they’re massive nerds.
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As you might imagine, the scheme worked, going viral on American and European media and drawing in Star Wars fans from lands (if not galaxies) far, far away.