Iturrieta observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
High on the Iturrieta Farm in the Montaña Alavesa, the Iturrieta Observatory is the only observatory in Álava, Spain, to hold International Astronomical Union certification.
About Iturrieta Observatory
The observatory is run by the Sociedad Astronómica de Álava, an association founded in 1986, and stands at 966 metres above sea level within the Parzonería de Entzia. It carries the Minor Planet Center code J44, approved on 10 July 2007.
History
The site was officially inaugurated on 15 June 2011, following years of work by the Sociedad Astronómica de Álava, and remains the first and only IAU-certified observatory in the province.
Telescopes & research
Observers at Iturrieta have contributed to real astrometric work: in 2007, Luis Etxazarra used the observatory to measure the near-Earth asteroids (542) Susanna, (456) Abnoba, and (484) Pittsburghia.
Location & getting there
Iturrieta Observatory sits at 966 metres above sea level in the Montaña Alavesa, within the Parzonería de Entzia in the Basque Country, Spain — a high, rural setting well suited to dark skies.
Visiting Iturrieta Observatory
The Sociedad Astronómica de Álava organises observing sessions at the site; check with the society directly for current opening times and how to arrange a visit.
See your named star from here
At nearly a kilometre of elevation, Iturrieta's skies are dark enough for serious asteroid-hunting — and for tracking down a star you have named of your own. Browse our star-naming packages or the catalogue to find its coordinates.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.