- Llano del Hato National Astronomical Observatory
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The Llano del Hato National Astronomical Observatory (Observatorio Nacional de Llano del Hato) is an astronomical observatory in Venezuela, run by the Centro de Investigaciones de Astronomia (CIDA). It is 3600 metres above sea level and comprises four telescopes, each in their own cupola or dome: a Schmidt camera, a reflecting telescope , a great refractor, and a double astrograph.
It is the main observatory in Venezuela. It is situated above the village of Llano del Hato close to Apartaderos in the Venezuelan Andes, about 50 kilometres north-east of Merida City, Merida State.
This facility is the closest major optical observatory to the equator lying at 8 degrees and 47.51 minutes north. It therefore has access to large parts of both the northern and southern skies. It benefits from very dark skies and its altitude of 3,600 metres (12,000 feet) above sea level means atmospheric turbulence is greatly reduced.
It comes under the auspices of CIDA (Centro de Investigaciones de Astronomía) which is the main astronomical research body in Venezuela.
CIDA conducts many projects in collaboration with other research bodies, academic institutions and international bodies. It also conducts valuable research in its own right and the observatory has an impressive record, including several important discoveries.
The facility has four large optical telescopes, a Zeiss refractor, a large Zeiss reflector and, for dedicated photographic applications, an Askania astrograph and an Askania Schmidt camera. These instruments were acquired by the Venezuelan government 1954 and installed at Llano del Hato in the early 1970s.
There is also a museum and exhibition centre where visitors can learn about the work of the observatory and CIDA as well as astronomy in general.
External links
Categories:- Astronomical observatories in Venezuela
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