Sencelles observatory

Sencelles Observatory, formally the Astronomical Observatory of Mallorca, sits near Costitx, about five kilometres south of Sencelles in the Balearic Islands, Spain.

About Sencelles Observatory

Inaugurated in May 1991, it was the first astronomical centre established in the Balearic Islands and remains the region's most important, as well as the easternmost observatory in Spain. Its mission is twofold: carrying out astronomical research and spreading astronomy knowledge to the public.

History

Since opening in 1991, the observatory has built a reputation well beyond its size, most notably for its work in tracking near-Earth objects.

Telescopes & research

The observatory operates four robotic telescopes, based at La Sagra in Andalucía, dedicated to discovering and tracking asteroids. That work has included the discovery of asteroids such as 2006 WH1, once flagged as a potential Earth-threat object.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located near Costitx, close to Sencelles, in the Balearic Islands region of Spain, a short drive inland from Mallorca's coastal resorts.

Visiting Sencelles Observatory

Planetarium audio-visual shows run every Friday and Saturday at 19:00, and the observatory offers guided tours of both the observatory and planetarium; check ahead for current schedules and ticket details.

See your named star from here

An observatory that hunts asteroids across the solar system can just as easily be pointed at the fixed coordinates of a named star, bringing a certificate to life through the eyepiece. Browse the star catalogue to find the star named for you.