Astronomy in Coquimbo Region / Visit to Mamalluca Observatory / Vicuña and Elqui Valley / El Pangue Observatory / Collowara Observatory / Home Page

TRANSPORTATION TO THE OBSERVATORIES

INGSERVTUR provides transportation to the scientific observatories of Cerro Tololo, La Silla and Las Campanas but BOOKINGS MUST BE MADE DIRECT WITH THE OBSERVATORY CONCERNED.  All these visits take place on Saturdays during the daytime.  These observatories are not open to the public at night, their precision instruments are dedicated to professional observations. Their installations are situated over 2000 meters above sea level and far away from the light pollution  of any city, this allows the clear skies with optimal climatic conditions for most of the year the very best opportunity for observation. Observing the stars at night can be arranged by INGSERVTUR to the amateur observatory of  Mamalluca & El Pangue near Vicuna, and Collowara, evening  which includes transportation and the opportunity to view the stars at night using a 12 inch diameter telescope.

LAS CAMPANAS OBSERVATORY
This observatory belongs to the Carnegie Institute of Washington U.S.A.  It has four telescopes and is situated 160 kilometers north of La Serena at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level. Ingservtur provides transportation to the Observatory which  is open to visitors only on Saturdays at 1:00 pm. with a permit which can be obtained  30 days in advance from the office of the Observatory  telephone 224680 / Fax 227817.  The pass must be collected the day before the visit.  Transportation leaves La Serena at 10:00 am. and returns in the late afternoon.

OBSERVATORY CERRO TOLOLO
The observatory is situated  87 kilometers east of La Serena at a height of 2200 meters above sea level.  It is operated  by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) under contract with the Science Foundation of the United States.  The observatory was opened in 1976 and has eight telescopes including a 4 meter lens.  The current "Gemini" project which when completed will be used in conjunction with a similar telescope based in Hawaii, each operating with twin mirrors of 6 meters in diameter.

This project is being built on a nearby hill known as Pachon. Visits to the observatory can only be made on Saturdays, with a pass that is issued by the Office of Tololo telephone (56 51) 205200 - Fax 205212 in La Serena.  The pass has to be obtained in person from the administration of the observatory,  who do not accept reservations from travel agencies.   Confirmation of the reservation must be made in the week prior to the visit and the pass collected the day before from the offices in la Colina El Pino.

LA SILLA  OBSERVATORY
The observatory is 156 kilometers north of La Serena at an altitude of 2440 meters above sea level, it belongs to the Southern European Observatory which is financed by 8 European countries.  It has 15 telescopes and a radio telescope.  Permits need to be obtained in advance from the office according to their availability.  Telephone 225387. 

MAMALLUCA OBSERVATORY  Near To Vicuña
This amateur observatory is open every evening providing the skies condition is for observation, more than 300 nights per year have clear skies.  The suitable position of the observatory in the Elqui Valley, five kilometers from Vicuna, allows one to view the stars at night.  The observatory has a reflector telescope with a diameter of 12 inches or 36cms which together with an explanation  of the night skies by the staff at the observatory gives one an unique  opportunity to enjoy stargazing.

Ingservtur provides transportation to this facility together with the necessary reservations and confirmations to visit the Mamalluca Observatory and El Pangue Observatory, Collowara Observatory observe the stars.  Open winter 6pm. 8pm., 10pm. and summer 8pm. 10pm. and 12 midnight.  Advance booking is necessary.

For Information:  info@ingservtur.cl

Reservations:   reservas@ingservtur.cl

Page Beginning