Onsala Space Observatory

Onsala Space Observatory is a radio astronomy research facility on a peninsula on Sweden's west coast, equipped with multiple antenna dishes of varying sizes. The site functions as a network of receivers that capture and analyze radio signals coming from space.

The facility was founded in 1949 and grew into a leading center for radio astronomy in Scandinavia. Over the following decades, new telescopes and technologies were continuously added to expand observation capabilities.

The facility takes its name from the Onsala peninsula where it sits on Sweden's west coast. Visitors can see the large antenna dishes and understand how this remote location serves as a hub for scientists from many countries working together on radio observations.

The site sits on Sweden's coast in a rural area, so arriving by car and allowing extra time to explore the surroundings makes sense. Visitors should check in advance if tours are available, as the facility is an active research center with restricted access to some areas.

The observatory participates in a global network called VLBI that connects telescopes across different continents, making it possible to see extremely small structures in space. This worldwide cooperation allows researchers to observe details that would be impossible with single telescopes.

Location: Kungsbacka Municipality

Inception: 1949

Official opening: 1949

Elevation above the sea: 20 m

Part of: LOFAR

Website: http://chalmers.se/en/researchinfrastructure/oso/Pages/default.aspx

GPS coordinates: 57.39306,11.91778

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:08