The Astronomic Observatory of Universitat de València was set up in 1907 by Ignasi Tarazona Blanch. It is one of the oldest university astronomic observatories in Spain. In 1947 the Observatory was moved to Blasco Ibáñez Avenue, to the current Universitat Headquarters, an emblematic building for Universitat and the city of València. The university head office hosts excellent astronomic observation instruments, like the Grubb refractor telescope purchased in 1909. An Observatory Museum has been set up in this location too. The exhibits include some of the instruments and equipment saved from the 1932 fire.

At present, some of the instruments are found at the observation station of Aras de los Olmos (Alt Túria Astronomic Centre). A robotised 60 cm wide telescope has also been installed there to promote research in the observatory’s work lines: photometry of young open star cumuli, study of galaxies and galaxy active nuclei, asteroid astrometry, extra-solar planet search, and research on optical counterparts of gamma-ray eruptions.

The Observatory has participated in the dissemination of astronomy developments in society, stimulating the participation and interaction with people. Within this context and in cooperation with València’s City of the Arts and Sciences, the Observatory organises a number of astronomy lectures and courses. Likewise, within the topic Science for Everybody of the Nau dels Estudiants programme, the observatory staff give a course called “Night Secrets”. In cooperation with the Astronomy Department, open astronomic observation sessions are held every Friday night: “Friday night, stars night”. The project Sky classroom –a project on astronomy didactics and teaching for primary and secondary education students– is also noteworthy.

ASTRONOMIC OBSERVATORY
Research institute building
Polígon de la Coma, s/n
46980 Paterna
Tel.: 96 354 34 84
Fax: 96 354 37 44
observatori.astronomic@uv.es
www.uv.es/obsast