Purple Mountain Observatory, Yao'an Station
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
High on West Lake Peak in Yunnan Province, the Yao'an Station extends Purple Mountain Observatory's reach into one of China's darker skies, far from the light pollution of Nanjing.
About Purple Mountain Observatory, Yao'an Station
Yao'an Station is a branch observing site of Purple Mountain Observatory located at West Lake Peak in Yao'an County, Yunnan Province, China. It was built to give the observatory's instruments a darker, clearer sky than is available at its main Nanjing site.
History
Construction of the station began in August 2008, and its first phase was completed in June 2009, adding a new outpost to Purple Mountain Observatory's growing network of stations across China.
Location & getting there
The station sits on West Lake Peak in Yunnan Province in southwestern China, chosen specifically to reduce the light pollution that affects observing from the observatory's original hilltop home near Nanjing.
Visiting Purple Mountain Observatory, Yao'an Station
As a working branch station rather than a visitor centre, Yao'an Station is not generally open to casual tourism; anyone wanting to visit should enquire with Purple Mountain Observatory in advance.
See your named star from here
Because Yao'an Station exists specifically to reach darker skies, it's a fitting kind of place to think about locating a named star with a telescope. Take your certificate's coordinates along if a visit is ever arranged. See our naming packages or search the catalogue.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
