Oaxaca Observatory

Perched on Cerro del Fortín above the city of Oaxaca, Mexico, the Oaxaca Observatory is a free public astronomical institution dedicated to bringing the night sky to local visitors and travellers alike.

About Oaxaca Observatory

Formally the Observatorio Astronómico Municipal de Oaxaca, the site operates as a public scientific outreach institution with no admission charge. It shares its hilltop grounds with the Planetario Nandehui, whose Zapotec name translates to "Sky Observatory."

History

The neighbouring planetarium was built in 1973 and officially opened to the public on 17 July 1976, giving the Cerro del Fortín site a long-standing role in bringing astronomy to Oaxacan audiences.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits on Cerro del Fortín, the hill overlooking central Oaxaca in southern Mexico, part of the North America region as classified here. The hilltop is a well-known local landmark alongside other cultural venues.

Visiting Oaxaca Observatory

As a free public facility geared toward outreach, Oaxaca Observatory welcomes visitors, though opening days and programme times are best confirmed with the site directly or through local tourism listings before you go.

See your named star from here

An observatory built for public stargazing is a fitting place to look for the star you've named. Every Star Register package comes with precise sky coordinates, so staff or a personal telescope here in Oaxaca can be aimed straight at it. Explore the star catalogue to get started.