Paranal hill Observatory

Get to know more about the Destination

Paranal Hill Observatory is the most important astronomic investigation center in the country. It belongs to the Austral European Observatory (ESO) and it has high technology equipment for scientific reseach.

For those who would like to visit the observatory, it´s necessary to ask for authorization to ESO in Antofagasta. The tours, only the 2 last weekends of the month, allow you to see the infrastructure and participate in chats about the astronomic world.

Attractions

Astronomic interest.

Activities

Photography.

Location

Second Region. Located 146 kilometers south of Antofagasta.

How to get there?

Santiago-Antofagasta: Airway and land route, by Panamericana 5 North.

Anywhere-Antofagasta: Airway, Cerro Moreno Airport (LanChile and Sky)

Anywhere-Antofagasta: Seaway.

Antofagasta-Varillas: Land route.

Varillas-Paranal Hill Observatory: Land route.

When to go?

All year long.

Climate

Desert weather, with homogeneous temperatures in the shore. The high media temperature is 24,5ºC and the lowest is 17,1ºC. The rain is almost null due to shore couldiness, with a high media of 3 milimeters.

Surroundings

Antofagasta, Hornito Beach, Boy Bay, Coloso Bay, Santa Maria Island, Punta Angamos, Mejillones, Páranal Hill Observatory, La Riconada Beach, El Medano Stream, Loa River, Quillagua Valley.

Admission

Ask for tours in Eso offices, Antofagasta. Telephone number (55) 435000.

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