Wykrota Observatory-CEAMIG

Wykrota Observatory-CEAMIG sits atop Serra da Piedade in Minas Gerais, Brazil, run by the amateur astronomy group CEAMIG.

About Wykrota Observatory-CEAMIG

The observatory is operated by the Centro de Estudos Astronômicos de Minas Gerais (CEAMIG), a non-profit amateur astronomy organisation based in Belo Horizonte. It carries the Minor Planet Center observatory code 859 and has contributed to real astronomical work, including confirmation imaging of interstellar objects passing through the solar system.

History

CEAMIG was founded on 4 March 1954 in Belo Horizonte, making it one of Brazil's longer-running amateur astronomy organisations. Its observatory site later developed on Serra da Piedade, a mountain ridge known locally for its clear views of the night sky.

Telescopes & research

The main dome, 3 metres in diameter, houses a Meade LX-200 12-inch (304 mm) reflector on an automated equatorial mount. A separate 25-square-metre roll-off-roof building holds two fixed pillars for mobile telescopes, including a mount built for a 25-inch (635 mm) Atlas telescope, one of the observatory's newer additions.

Location & getting there

Serra da Piedade rises above the surrounding Minas Gerais countryside, giving the observatory a wide, elevated view of the sky away from the brightest city lights of Belo Horizonte. Use the map and directions button above to plan a visit.

Visiting Wykrota Observatory-CEAMIG

As a volunteer-run amateur facility, visiting arrangements are best confirmed directly with CEAMIG before travelling to Serra da Piedade.

See your named star from here

A star named through our star-naming packages comes with real coordinates, so a telescope like the ones at Wykrota Observatory-CEAMIG can be pointed straight at it. Browse the catalogue to see the night sky others have claimed.