Piera Observatory

Piera Observatory (Observatori Astronòmic de Piera) sits in the town of Piera, in Catalonia, Spain, carrying the official IAU observatory code 165.

About Piera Observatory

Piera Observatory is an active amateur observing station recognised internationally under IAU code 165. It takes part in the Unicorn Project alongside the Ametlla de Mar Observatory and Costitx Observatory, a collaboration among Catalan and Balearic observing sites.

History

The observatory's best-known discovery came from astronomer Joan Guarro, who found the asteroid 1999 YZ8, later named 13868 Catalonia. That name closed a loop first opened nearly 70 years earlier, when astronomer Josep Comas Solà discovered an asteroid he'd hoped to call Catalonia, but political pressure under the Francoist regime forced him to choose a different name instead: Gothlandia, an old Frankish name for Catalonia.

Location & getting there

Piera Observatory is located in the town of Piera, in the Catalonia region of Spain, within reach of Barcelona.

Visiting Piera Observatory

No formal public visiting hours are listed for Piera Observatory. Check with local Catalan astronomy contacts for current information before planning a visit.

See your named star from here

A star named through Star Register comes with real right ascension and declination coordinates, viewable from observing sites like Piera or anywhere with clear skies. Name a star or explore the star catalogue to find your star's exact position.