OBSERVATORIO ASTRONÓMICO NACIONAL DE LA SIERRA DE SAN PEDRO MÁRTIR

The San Pedro Mártir National Astronomical Observatory is under the direction of the Institute of Astronomy of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), with the aim of carrying out specific astronomical observations and their associated research. It has three large diameter telescopes, 2.1 m, 1.5 m and 0.84 m in diameter, operating in the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir, in Baja California, in the northwest of the country, at a beautiful altitude of 2,830 m. Although the history of this observatory dates back to the 1960s, it was in 1971 that professional activities began at this particular site, with the installation of 1.5 m and 84 cm telescopes (the 2.1 m telescope was installed in 1979). One of the constraints of this installation was to minimize the impact on the environment, as the observatory is located in the middle of the San Pedro Mártir National Park. This is why, during public guided tours, the emphasis is placed on preserving the site by prohibiting people from leaving the marked trails, smoking, drinking and, of course, throwing garbage everywhere! Regarding visits always, it is not possible to book in advance due to weather conditions, sometimes random, which can prevent any access to the site. Their schedules are quite limited, from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 3pm all year round, except for the last two weeks of December and the first week of January. Access inside the domes is not guaranteed and depends on possible maintenance on the telescopes. No observation is possible for the public (there is no dedicated equipment permanently installed). On the other hand, it is possible to enjoy an evening of observation after the monthly conferences given on the first Friday of each month at the Astronomy Institute in Ensenada, on the west coast (Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada km 103, Pedregal Playitas - tel: 174 4580).