Observatorio Nacional de Llano del Hato

Observatorio Nacional de Llano del Hato 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 northeast of Merida City, Merida_State.

Related Topics:
Venezuela - Andes - Merida City - Merida_State

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This facility is the closest major observatory to the equator, indeed it can boast the largest collection of astronomical equipment in the entire equatorial belt. It has access to large parts of both the northern and southern skies. It benifits from very dark skies and its altitude of 3,600 metres (12,000 feet) above sea level means atmospheric turbulence is greatly reduced.

Related Topics:
Equator - Metres - Feet

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It comes under the auspices of CIDA (Centro de Investigaciones de Astronomía) which is the main astronomical research body in Venezuela.

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CIDA conducts many projects in collaboration with other research bodies, academic institions and intertnational bodies. It also conducts valuable research in its own right and the observatory has an impressive record, including several important discoveries.

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The facility has four large optical telescopes, a Zeiss refractor, a large Zeiss ] 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.

Related Topics:
Optical telescopes - Zeiss - Refractor - Astrograph - Schmidt camera

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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.

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