Montevideo Astronomical Observatory

Housed in the upper floors of the Alfredo Vásquez Acevedo Institute (IAVA) building in Montevideo, Uruguay, this observatory has been introducing students and the public to astronomy for nearly a century.

About Montevideo Astronomical Observatory

The observatory belongs to Uruguay's General Directorate of Secondary Education (DGES). Originally built for research, it now focuses primarily on teaching astronomy to secondary school students and on public outreach.

History

The observatory was inaugurated in 1927 and equipped with a 21cm refractor built by Carl Zeiss of Jena in 1928, with a focal length of 3.0 metres — an instrument still associated with the site today.

Telescopes & research

Current projects at the observatory include participation in the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) for asteroid searching, light pollution studies, astronomical photography, and the AllSky meteor-monitoring program. Students use software and images from professional observatories worldwide to take part in the asteroid search.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits in the upper part of the IAVA building in central Montevideo, Uruguay, making it one of the more urban and accessible observatories on our list.

Visiting Montevideo Astronomical Observatory

As a teaching observatory attached to a secondary school, public access typically runs through organised outreach sessions rather than casual drop-in visits. Check with the IAVA institute for current visiting arrangements before planning a trip.

See your named star from here

An observatory built around teaching and public outreach is an ideal place to introduce someone to the night sky, including a star named just for them. A star named through Star Register comes with precise right ascension and declination coordinates. Explore our naming packages or browse the catalogue.