Girawali Observatory

Girawali Observatory sits about 80 kilometres from Pune, off the Pune–Nashik highway in Maharashtra, India, where it serves as an optical observing station for the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics.

About Girawali Observatory

Girawali Observatory, formally the IUCAA Girawali Observatory, is an optical astronomy facility run by the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), based in Pune, India. It supports both astronomical research and education programmes.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located roughly 80 kilometres from Pune, off the Pune–Nashik highway near the village of Girawali in Maharashtra. Its rural setting, away from the city, gives it darker skies than sites closer to Pune.

Visiting Girawali Observatory

As a research and teaching facility of IUCAA, access for the public is typically arranged through the institute rather than casual walk-in visits. Check the IUCAA website for current information on visits or outreach events before travelling.

See your named star from here

The astronomers who work at IUCAA's Girawali Observatory use precise coordinates every day to point their instruments, the same kind of coordinates that come with every star named through Star Register. Name a star or explore the catalogue to see stars already named.