Quito Astronomical Observatory

Quito Astronomical Observatory

The Quito Astronomical Observatory is a research institute of the National Polytechnic School in Quito, Ecuador . Its major research fields are astronomy and atmospheric physics.

The Quito Astronomical Observatory is one of the oldest observatories in South America and was founded in 1873. In 1963, is the only Observatory of Ecuador.

History

The Quito Astronomical Observatory (OAQ) was founded in 1873, during the presidency of Dr. Gabriel García Moreno. ; becoming one of the best observatories in Latin America. At that time the building was located on the outskirts of the city of Quito, in a grazing area known as La Alameda, and is now a park.

After four years of construction and equipment, the observatory was ready for operation in 1877.
Early last century, the Observatory was the center of activities of the Second French Geodesic Mission whose aim was to measure the decline of a meridian; also for the same period it was mounted within the institution the first seismographs of Ecuador.

Activities of  investigation

• Study of galaxies: Research gigantic star clusters formed by gravitational forces of infinite range, matter which is covering the abysmal distances between stars, different ways to get the galaxies.
• Study of the universe: It specializes in understanding the structure of the universe. The part of astrophysics that deals with this topic is the Cosmology, the same as to assess the current structure of our universe must take into account their origin, evolution and predicting their fate.
• Study of  the Quito sky: It specializes in understanding the structure of the universe. The part of astrophysics that deals with this topic is the Cosmology, the same as to assess the current structure of our universe must take into account their origin, evolution and predicting their fate.

Astronomical Museum

It is within the Observatory. At the Museum of the Observatory it could be found the instruments used for scientific research in the development of astronomy, meteorology and seismology in the country, with the main attraction Merz Equatorial Telescope, still used by visitors at night observations.
Another attraction of the museum are the seismographs used to measure earthquakes or tremors caused by the movement of tectonic plates.

Merz Telescope                              Seismograph

Activities and Services for the public

The activities and services currently provided by the OAQ are:

• Night observations by telescopes.
• Astronomical information on the equatorial zone.
• Basic astronomy courses.
• Library.
• Operation of the museum on the premises.
• Annual publications.
• Antique seismometers.

   Location

The Quito Astronomical  Observatory  is located in the La Alameda park of Quito.
Address: Av. Gran Colombia s / n, Inside the  La Alameda Park , Quito.

Quito Astronomical Observatory 

Information

Their hours are:
From 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday and from 09:00 to 14:30, Sunday day.
The price of admission is $ 2 for adults and $ 1 children-older-disabled-adult students. Children under 8 are free. Nocturnes observations are made upon reservation and if the sky is clear; the cost is $ 3.
For more information visit : http://oaq.epn.edu.ec/index.php , Phone: (02) 257-0765