Irydeo Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Irydeo Observatory is a private, automated astronomical facility near Alcalá de Henares in the Community of Madrid, Spain, built specifically to track small bodies of the Solar System.
About Irydeo Observatory
Rather than housing a general-purpose telescope under a dome, Irydeo operates from a private residence with a sliding-roof enclosure and runs largely on free software. Its focus is squarely on Solar System minor objects, meaning asteroids and comets.
Telescopes & research
The observatory's main instrument is an 11-inch Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) with a 620-millimetre focal length, paired with advanced imaging equipment used to help confirm and refine the orbits of newly detected asteroids and comets.
Location & getting there
Irydeo sits near Alcalá de Henares in the Community of Madrid, Spain, a region within reach of the Spanish capital that nonetheless offers workable conditions for automated night-sky imaging.
Visiting Irydeo Observatory
As a private automated facility, Irydeo is not generally open to public visitors; astronomy enthusiasts can follow its work and updates through its online presence instead.
See your named star from here
An astrograph precise enough to track a moving asteroid can just as easily be aimed at the fixed coordinates of your named star. Find your star's exact position in the catalogue.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
