Skalnate Pleso observatory

High in Slovakia's High Tatra Mountains, above a small rocky mountain lake, Skalnaté Pleso Observatory has watched the skies since the middle of the Second World War. Its dramatic alpine setting and long research history make it one of Central Europe's most storied observatories.

About Skalnaté Pleso Observatory

Skalnaté Pleso is an astronomical and meteorological observatory operated by the Slovak Academy of Sciences (Slovenská akadémia vied). It carries the Minor Planet Center observatory code 056 and takes its name from the nearby Skalnaté pleso, or 'Rocky Tarn,' the mountain lake beside which it sits.

History

The observatory began operating in 1943 under the direction of astronomer Antonín Bečvář, adopting the motto Per aspera ad astra - 'through hardships to the stars.' Its contribution to astronomy was formally recognized when the asteroid 2619 Skalnaté Pleso was named in its honor.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits at 1,786 metres elevation on the south-eastern slopes of Lomnický štít, near Tatranská Lomnica in the High Tatra Mountains. The high, clear mountain air that makes the site excellent for astronomy also makes it a striking destination for hikers and visitors to the Tatras.

Visiting Skalnaté Pleso Observatory

The observatory is part of Slovakia's national scientific infrastructure; check the Slovak Academy of Sciences' astronomical institute website for current visiting arrangements before travelling, as access to a working research site can vary.

See your named star from here

An observatory that has already lent its name to an asteroid seems a fitting place to think about naming a star of your own. Name a star and get its precise coordinates, or browse the catalogue of stars already named - any observatory can aim a telescope at those coordinates on a clear night.