Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon

Set within the historic Tapada da Ajuda estate, the Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon has been a fixture of Portuguese astronomy since the 19th century and today operates as part of the University of Lisbon.

About Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon

The Observatorio Astronomico de Lisboa is located in Tapada da Ajuda, in the Alcantara parish of Lisbon, Portugal. It is internationally recognised for its work in positional astronomy, a field it has contributed to since the 19th century.

History

In 1992, the observatory became a dependency of the University of Lisbon, later integrated into the university's Faculty of Sciences, where it continues to carry out scientific and historical research alongside public and media outreach.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits at around 140 metres elevation within the Tapada da Ajuda, a green estate in the Alcantara area of Lisbon, Portugal, not far from the city centre.

Visiting Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon

Because it operates as a university research facility rather than a visitor attraction, opening times and public access can vary. Check the observatory's official website before planning a visit to confirm current tours or open days.

See your named star from here

A named star is defined by nothing more exotic than its right ascension and declination, coordinates that any observatory's telescope can be aimed at. If you've named a star through our packages, its position can be found in the star catalogue for viewing here or elsewhere.

Name a star of your own

Whether or not you can visit Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon, you can dedicate a real, visible star through Star-Register. Name a star to receive its exact coordinates, or browse the star catalogue to look one up.