Los Algarrobos observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Los Algarrobos Observatory, also known as OLASU, is an astronomical observatory near Salto, Uruguay, dedicated to tracking asteroids and rare celestial alignments.
About Los Algarrobos Observatory
The observatory carries the Minor Planet Center code I38 and operates a 0.3-metre Meade LX-200R telescope. Its main scientific focus is photometric imaging and lightcurve analysis of asteroids, work that helps determine an asteroid's shape, rotation and composition from how its brightness changes over time.
Telescopes & research
Beyond routine asteroid photometry, OLASU has taken part in multi-site stellar occultation campaigns targeting trans-Neptunian objects, the icy bodies orbiting far beyond Neptune. The observatory has also contributed to astronomy education by translating astronomy software materials into Spanish, widening access for Spanish-speaking observers.
Location & getting there
Los Algarrobos Observatory is located near Salto, in the South America region of Uruguay.
See your named star from here
OLASU's 0.3-m telescope is built for precise pointing at faint targets, the same skill needed to locate the coordinates of a symbolically named star. Name a star or browse the star catalogue to get exact coordinates you could ask an observatory to find.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
