University of Narino Observatory

In Pasto, Colombia, the University of Nariño Observatory has built one of the country's most active astronomical research programmes around a small but capable fleet of telescopes.

About University of Nariño Observatory

The observatory operates a Meade 16-inch f/4 Newtonian reflector, a Celestron CGE Pro 1400 (14-inch equatorial), a Meade 14-inch robotic LX200GPS, two Meade 8-inch robotic LX200GPS telescopes, a Celestron 8-inch Dobsonian Newtonian, and a Coronado solar telescope, supported by digital cameras, an SBIG digital spectrometer, a Shelyak high-resolution spectrometer, and a JOVE radio receiver used to pick up signals from Jupiter and the Sun.

History

The observatory's 16-inch Meade telescope was robotised by the university's Electronic Engineering students. In 2008, the observatory was awarded Minor Planet Center code H78 for the quality of its asteroid and comet data, the only Colombian observatory to hold this designation.

Telescopes & research

The observatory has taken part in NASA's Small Telescope Science Program, including work related to the Deep Impact mission. There are plans for a future 1-metre imported telescope, which would be the first instrument of that size in Colombia, at an estimated cost of around one million dollars.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located in Pasto, in southern Colombia, part of the University of Nariño's academic campus.

Visiting University of Nariño Observatory

For current opening hours, tours, and event schedules, check the university's official observatory website before planning a visit.

See your named star from here

An observatory that already tracks asteroids and comets with recognised precision is well equipped to point at a named star too. With right ascension and declination in hand, any of its telescopes could find it. Discover our star-naming packages or browse the star catalogue.