31/10/15

PRICES - BOOKING - HOW TO FIND US

Prices below are given in local currency ("Chilean Peso"), applicable currently, and subject to further variations


PROGRAM "A"
Cl$ 32.500 per person

The transfert to the observatory is included in the price.

It is recommended to book in advance. Then the reservations must be paid no later than 13H00 (1:00 p.m.) in the day of the Tour, otherwise they are annuled.

We accept US dollars and euros with a light surcharge of 2,5%.

In case of annulation of the Tour due to adverse weather conditions, we'll refund 100% of the amount paid.

PROGRAM "A-Private"
Cl$ 260.000 per group

The transfert to the observatory is not included in the price.

This program is intended for groups managed by national tour operators, or travelling together, who like the benefits of an exclusive service.

Similar to the Program A, except for the limiting number of participants, extended to 12 people without extra cost.

PROGRAM "C"
Cl$ 43.000 per person

The transfert to the observatory is included in the price.

This program requires a minimum of 2 persons, while the maximum is of 6 persons. Due to logistics requirements, groups over 6 persons must split in two sub groups, performing the programme in two successive runs. In that case the total price is quoted on the basis of CL$ 39.000 per person.

If some of the participants are certified members of an astronomy organisation, a 15% discount is applicable to the whole group.

Upon reservation only, with a minimum anticipation of 2 days.

We request process the payment in that same delay, via bank transfert (ask for conditions). In some particular cases, we do accept payment cash at our agency, no later than 13H00 (1:00 p.m.) in the day of the Tour. Reservations not cancelled in the given delays will be annuled. We accept US dollars and euros (ask for conditions).

In case of annulation of the program due to adverse weather conditions, we'll refund 100% of the amount paid.

PROGRAM "E"
Cl$ 585.000 per group

The given price does not include transportation to the observatory, as this program is intended for groups managed by national tour operators, or disposing of their own vehicles.

The price is per group, not depending on the number of participants, although it must not exceed 12 people. Due to logistics requirements, groups over 12 people must split in two sub groups, performing the programme in two successive nights. In such a case, the price is CL$850.000 for the whole group.
If some of the participants are certified members of an astronomy organisation, a 15% discount is applicable to the whole group.

Upon reservation only, with a minimum anticipation of 7 days.

Payments must be processed in that delay, through bank transfert (ask for conditions), otherwise the reservation is annuled.

In case of annulation of the program due to adverse weather conditions, we'll refund 100% of the amount paid.

On demand, we can offer also a "personal" Program E, for 1 or 2 people, at Cl$ 150.000 per night.

PROGRAM "E-Extended"
For those groups who wish to observe for more than one night, we designed a saving schedule, as following:

2 consecutive nights: Cl$ 985.000
3 consecutive nights: Cl$ 1.565.000
4 consecutive nights: Cl$ 1.975.000

Similar to the previous one in terms and contents, except for the reservation delay that comes to 15 days.

PROGRAM "F"
There is no formal programme for astrophotography: our sessions may include a variety of contents and durations depending on the customer expectations, ranging from simply using our computarized mount for personal camera or equipment, or adapting a customer camera to one of our telescopes for a guided astrophotography session, until hiring our large telescopes for a full night... For personnalized quote, just contact us and we'll design the session that perfectly fits your needs.


SHOPPING AT THE OBSERVATORIO DEL PANGUE

We propose to our visitors a selection of items that you can reserve and pick up when visiting us. You'll find e.g. exclusive astronomical post cards, as well as high resolution astro pictures taken by our astronomers : check it all here!
In case you want some of these, just mention the references in your reservation form, and we'll deliver it to you when you come to register at our office.


HOW TO FIND US... AND WHEN
Please note that the Observatory is closed for an entire month in winter time (July or August, ask for the exact dates)

Remember that the spectacle of the celestial sphere is significantly disminuished in presence of strong moonlight so, when planning a stargazing, it is highly recommended to avoid the nights around the Full Moon phase. In order to help you in preparing your observing session, we give a moon phase calendar (click here). Hence the Observatory remains closed on the next following moonlight nights:

February, 17th to 26th
March, 18th to 27th
April, 17th to 25th
May, 16th to 24th

Additionally, we give the periods of visibility of the main planets (click on the table at left to enlarge).



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Otherwise, any time of year is worth for astronomy: in summer, good weather conditions are almost guaranteed, but observing sessions begin late (22H00), while in winter, cloudy nights are more frequent but we start much earlier (18H00). The temperature as well is not an issue as we never get excessively cold nights in this area. Remember however that seasons are inverted in the southern hemisphere: winter runs from june to september, and summer from december to march.

Note that we have an average of 285 clear nights per year, that makes some 80 cloudy nights, more concentrated on July and August, so if you plan to visit us in winter, we highly recommend that you schedule two nights on site, as to increases chances to benefit of a clear sky...


Then, as to find us, we give below a short description of the road from Santiago to the Observatory, although you may prefer to visualize it by using an interactive map (click here).

Santiago - La Serena: 480 km (300 mi.)
Air travelling is convenient since there are several flights connecting each day the international airport of Santiago to the airport of La Serena. Surface travelling also is easy, as the "Ruta 5 Norte" is a fast riding highway. Many bus companies reach la Serena every day (the journey lasts some 7 to 8 hours).

La Serena - Vicuña: 63 km (39 mi.)
The "Ruta 41" road is the only choice to reach Vicuña. To get there, you can choose either a bus from the many local companies, or a "colectivo" (collective taxicab). Note however that there is no such public transportation back to La Serena by night. Our office is located in the Plaza de Armas of Vicuña (address San Martin 233), quite close to the "Torre Bauer", the local icon.

Vicuña - Observatorio del Pangue: 17 km (10 mi.)
The transfert from Vicuña to the observatory with our van is included in most of our programmes. However, if you have to go with your own vehicle, you may leave Vicuña through its southern exit, then reach a few meters ahead the intersection with the "Ruta D445", labelled as “Ruta Antakari”, leading south eventually to the town Hurtado. The entrance of the observatory stands exactly 16 km (10 mi.) from this intersection. The road is suitable for any vehicle (AWD is not necessary), although some steep curves in the last 2 kilometers may require a little care. The transfert at low speed lasts some 25 minutes (30 minutes if coming from the centre of Vicuña).

Furthermore, for any query you may have, don't hesitate to ask us at astronomicasur@gmail.com


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