Santa Ana Astronomical Observatory - Taria

Located in the town of Santa Ana is the country's Astronomical Observatory, which has two telescopes of Russian origin and an atomic clock that marks the official time of Bolivia.. Taking into account that this observatory has a Technical-Scientific nature and due to the research and dissemination of astronomy for more than 10 years, in February 1993 is given the rank of “National Observatory” and you are authorized to “Conservation and Broadcasting of the Bolivian Official Time throughout the national territory”.

Santa Ana Astronomical Observatory – Taria

The National Astronomical Observatory, was created in June 1982 according to the Cooperation Agreement in the field of Astronomy, signed between the Academy of Sciences of the USSR and the National Academy of Sciences of Bolivia. Officially the Observatory was inaugurated on 14 April 1984 with the name of Bolivian-Soviet Astronomical Observatory.

The National Astronomical Observatory is located 14 Km. to the South of the city of Tarija in the Cercado Province, town of Santa Ana “La Cabaña” (road to Bermejo) in one of the areas with the greatest wine production in the department of Tarija and an important tourist attraction.

The Observatory currently has special buildings that house different telescopes., It also has offices, conference room, photo laboratory, workshops and other departments. All constructions and equipment in general were a contribution from the Russian Academy of Sciences, which reaches the sum of 6 millions of $us. Which means that Tarija is the department most favored with the cooperation of the Academy of Sciences of the former Soviet Union.

DISSEMINATION PROGRAMS

The Observatory, together with the Social Interaction Division of the “Juan Misael Saracho” University of Tarija, carries out the work of disseminating astronomical science at all levels., and these are carried out at the Observatory facilities, Visits and excursions are organized for schoolchildren, students, national tourists, from abroad and the general public, where they receive explanations about the origin of the Observatory, research fields in which it is developed, observation programs and future perspectives, Afterwards, a tour of the Observatory facilities is carried out where the guides teach and explain about the instruments., their technical characteristics and their function in the different areas of research, The culmination of the visit considered the most attractive is direct observation with telescopes, through which it is possible to observe the Moon, as well as the planets Mercury, Venus, Marte, Jupiter, Saturn, stars like alpha centauri, Sirius, Antares, Canopus etc.

Among the star clusters is Omega Centauro, among the nebulas that of Orion.

We have a video and DVD room where, according to the public that visits us, we show astronomical documentaries.

The Astronomical Observatory publishes a monthly newsletter called Astro Information that is distributed to most of the media in Tarija and throughout the country., public institutions, public and private educational centers, Astronomy fans, etc. The newsletter is distributed free of charge and has a circulation of one thousand copies per month..

PLANETARY

An additional attraction is the implementation of the Planetarium with capacity for 90 people with their respective reclining seats, The civil works have already been completed on the Observatory premises and the arrival of the equipment is expected by the end of 2006. Brand new equipment that was managed by the management of the Astronomical Observatory thanks to a non-refundable credit from the Japanese government of 500.000 $us. (half a million dollars). The Japanese factory Gotto, through the Mitsubishi company, is the one that will provide the equipment for the “GOTO-GS” Multiprojector Planetarium and the colossal projection screen of 2 tons of weight and 8.5 m. in diameter.

The brand new infrastructure is currently used to display a permanent exhibition of paintings with astronomical and astronautical themes.. The civil works were built thanks to the support of the Government of the Department of Tarija

The National Astronomical Observatory, unique in Bolivia, thanks to these undertakings, it becomes a scientific reference, tourist and cultural of our country.

The Observatory currently carries out joint work with the Main Observatory of Russia and astronomers of different nationalities.

The National Astronomical Observatory receives financial support from the Government of the Department of Tarija for its operation.

FUENTE: https://www.turismo.tarija.gob.bo