Astronomia Sigma Octante:
A Center for Astronomy in Cochabamba, Bolivia
By Jeffrey R. Charles (for the first ASO web page, September 1996)

Located in Cochabamba Bolivia, Astronomia Sigma Octante is a center for astronomy which specializes in solar and variable star observing. The group is also involved in education and the training new observers. ASO members are not mere "armchair astronomers"; they are serious observers. The director of ASO, German Morales Chavez, also writes software for astronomical applications.

Prior to the November 3, 1994 total solar eclipse in Bolivia, Astronomia Sigma Octante wrote an impressive multiple page article for Los Tiempos, a major local newspaper. In this article, they included predictions for the times and magnitude of the eclipse for scores of locations throughout Bolivia. Their eclipse time predictions for my location were within 4 seconds. The group also regularly records sunspot numbers and groups, and reports variable star observations to the AAVSO.

ASO and its members have two 20 cm reflectors and a 8 cm refractor. They also designed and fabricated instrumentation such as a multiple sensor photometer for recording light intensity during the November 3, 1994 total solar eclipse. (This is a very respectable accomplishment, owing to the scarcity of good electronics suppliers in Bolivia).

While in Bolivia, I attended one ASO meeting and visited German at his house. Since then, we have exchanged video, photos, and observational data concerning the total eclipse, and they have sent copies of their monthly solar observation reports.

It recently became possible for ASO to obtain internet access, but they do not have service for their own home page yet. In the mean time, information authored by ASO members will be contained in this document and its related links. ASO would like to correspond with other astronomical organizations. The group is also interested in locating sponsors. Interested readers are encouraged to E-mail German Morales Chavez, the Director of ASO at: {german@bo.net} (Note: the e-mail address is not longer valid, see Contact us link for our new addresses)

© Copyright 1996, {Jeffrey R. Charles}, All Rights Reserved.

You can find this text at: http://www.versacorp.com/vlink/otherorg/asobo.htm
You can find a description of Jeff Charles remebering an ASO meeting, at: http://www.eclipsechaser.com/eclink/ecjrnl/ecj94p2.htm#aso