Complejo Astronómico El Leoncito
Altitude:
2552 m (8370 feet)
longitude: W 4h 37m 12s - latitude: -31o 47` 57``
The Site
CASLEO is located at 2552 m over the sea level, in the west side of the
Tontal mountains, near the Andes in the western part of Argentina in San Juan
province. The nearest population is Barreal,a small village of 7,000 habitants, located at 30 Km from the
observatory in Calingasta county.
The observatory is located inside an Astronomical Reservation of 76.000
hectareas.
The site is protected to guarantee the sky quality. Since 1995 this area
has the status of a strict natural reservation.
The statistics in an interval of 20 years show that the place have around 270
useful nights for astronomical observation per year.
Infrastructure
Lodging and dining facilities for around 25 people are available. An electronic and mechanical
shops have the necessary instrumentation for everyday maintenance and repair. There
is in service a commercial electric line but the observatory has its own power
plant for emergencies.
Telescopes
Presently, two telescopes are operating for science observations: