Pierre Kauffman Radio Observatory

The Pierre Kauffman Radio Observatory is an astronomical observatory in Atibaia with a 13.7-meter dish antenna enclosed in a protective radome. The facility operates at frequencies between 18 and 50 GHz to observe the sky in the radio spectrum.

The facility was founded in 1970 under the management of Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie. In 1982, the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais took control and has operated it since.

The observatory connects five Brazilian universities in collaborative research projects, fostering scientific partnerships across academic institutions throughout São Paulo state.

The station sits about 7.5 kilometers south of Atibaia at an elevation of 819 meters in a highland location. Visitors can find accommodations on-site for extended research stays.

The site includes solar monitoring equipment with multiple 1.5-meter dish antennas that detect radio waves from the Sun at 12 GHz. These specialized instruments allow the facility to track solar activity continuously.

Location: São Paulo

Official opening: 1970

Elevation above the sea: 819 m

Website: http://cea.inpe.br/roi

GPS coordinates: -23.18522,-46.55830

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:40