Alianza S4 observatory

High in the Andean foothills of San Juan Province, Argentina, the Alianza S4 observatory houses the Solaris-4 telescope at 2,600 metres above sea level, inside the CASLEO astronomical complex.

About Alianza S4 Observatory

Alianza S4 is part of the Complejo Astronómico El Leoncito (CASLEO), a multi-institutional facility run jointly by CONICET, Argentina's science ministry (MINCYT) and three national universities. The Solaris-4 telescope operates from within El Leoncito National Park, a site rarely troubled by cloud cover.

History

CASLEO itself was established in 1983, formally dedicated in 1986, and began scientific operations in 1987. The Solaris-4 telescope was added later as part of the complex's ongoing instrumentation.

Telescopes & research

Alongside the Solaris-4 telescope, CASLEO's major instruments include the 2.15-metre Jorge Sahade telescope, the 0.61-metre Helen Sawyer Hogg telescope, the 0.45-metre ASH telescope and the 0.41-metre Horacio Ghielmetti telescope - making the complex one of the more capable multi-telescope sites in South America.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits at roughly 2,600 metres elevation in San Juan Province, western Argentina, within the protected boundaries of El Leoncito National Park - prized by astronomers for its exceptionally clear, stable skies.

Visiting Alianza S4 Observatory

CASLEO's facilities are primarily research-oriented. If you'd like to visit the complex or arrange a tour, check current access information with CASLEO directly before travelling, as national park entry rules also apply.

See your named star from here

Few places offer skies as clear as El Leoncito National Park, making it an ideal spot to search for a named star. Look up its coordinates in the star catalogue, then check with CASLEO staff about viewing opportunities.