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Bolivian Virtual Observatory (BVO)
- Gabriel Andres Jaimes Illanes
- 15 abr 2025
- 3 Min. de lectura
Actualizado: 17 oct 2025
Hello Astronomers! Great news for Bolivia, BVO project was implemented!
The project focuses on promoting astronomical research and education in Bolivia. It is the first Bolivian initiative to be awarded observation time at the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO), involving a national team dedicated to monitoring Type II Supernovae and developing free astrophotography programs. The project aims to train students in advanced astronomical observation techniques using remote telescopes, fostering scientific knowledge in astronomy, instrumentation, and software. Supported by the LCO Global Sky Partners program and the Radiocommunications Laboratory (LRC) of the Universidad Privada Boliviana, it provides virtual training and research opportunities. Beneficiaries include students, teachers, and amateur astronomers, contributing to the strengthening of Bolivia’s scientific community and the promotion of astronomy education through the NAEC-IAU network.
"This is the first time that Astronomical Observation hours have been assigned to Bolivia in LCO".
Beneficiaries
The project has no cost for participants, however participants must apply to be selected as a participant in the BVO project. Participation in the project is the following ways:
Program for School Teachers, Educators and Amateur Astronomers
University Students
School Students (from 15 years old)
What the project taught?
The participants in the project developed the following activities:
Training in astronomical observation and metadata processing
Use of astronomical software and programming in Jupyter Notebook for data analysis.
Participation in an assigned scientific case study and training by a workshop leader from the team.
Photometric reduction processes
Data processing for astrophotography
Contribution to the participant work team to generate results in the project
These are focused on two training programs in:
Photometry of transient astronomical phenomena
Deep sky astrophotography
In this sense, participants have access to the images and data acquired by the BVO astronomical observation team, using the network of remote telescopes, to monitor, study and generate results for an assigned scientific case.
LCO Capabilities
Context:
LCO has access to 7 Professional Observatories with 25 Remote Telescopes.
There are aspects of light pollution, energy, sustainability and instrument maintenance for an observatory to function consistently.
Access to telescopes located in ideal locations such as Hawaii, the Canary Islands, Chile, Australia and South Africa.
Education, Science and Capacity Building.
Science of the Bolivian Virtual Observatory (BVO)
A. Light Curves | SN II - LCO Data
The data generated by the project are used for the study of Type II supernovae, specifically in the construction of their light curves, which track the evolution of brightness over time for these explosive events. Observations made through remote telescopes are processed to obtain precise graphs reflecting changes in magnitude and emitted energy. These studies are essential for gaining a deeper understanding of the physics behind supernovae and their role in stellar evolution.
B. Code Repository
In this section, we develop code for training purposes within the project, using the acquired data to foster the integration of participants into coding environments such as Python, Jupyter Notebooks, and Binder, which are currently of great importance to modern science. We present a Jupyter Notebook repository designed for training programs in the study of transient astronomical phenomena under the Bolivian Virtual Observatory (BVO) project. This code is intended for academic purposes only.
Photometry Pipeline for Training | LCO Data
GitHub Respostory (Spanish) - Photometry BVO Notebook
Astrophotographjy Gallery
A collection of celestial images captured through remote telescopes, showcasing the beauty of the universe and the technical skills developed by students and collaborators in the project.
Who developed the project?
Composed of professionals with experience in the area, graduates, interns and collaborators in the areas of astrophysics, electronics, aeronautics, telecommunications, geology, computer science and education.
Collaborators
Interns
Researchers
Affiliations
The NAEC (National Astronomy Education Coordinator) of the IAU (International Astronomical Union)
Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO)
Radiocommunications Laboratory (LRC)
Social Media
Stay connected with our latest astronomical discoveries, astrophotography, and educational activities. Follow us on social media to explore the universe with us and be part of Bolivia’s growing astronomy community!
Instagram:
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