Institute of Astronomy of the Faculty of Science and Technology of UL

The Institute of Astronomy of the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Latvia is a scientific institute of the University of Latvia that conducts international-level fundamental and applied research in astronomy, photonics and related interdisciplinary fields. The institute has two observatories, the Baldone Observatory in Baldones Riekstukalns and the Fundamental Geodynamics Observatory in Riga, on the territory of the Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia.

The Baldone observatory has a Schmidt system telescope with a main mirror 1.2 meters in diameter, and the Fundamental Geodynamics Observatory has an LS-105 telescope with a main mirror 1 meter in diameter. The observatories are equipped with modern instruments and successfully participate in the implementation of international projects. The institute also has a Laboratory of Nonlinear Optics and Photonics, which studies nonlinear and other optical processes. It has a picosecond laser, spectrometers and other equipment.

The Baldone Observatory conducts research in astrophysics related to stars in the late stages of evolution and small bodies of the Solar System. Several asteroids discovered in the observatory have been given names related to Latvia. The Fundamental Geodynamics Observatory conducts research related to satellite laser ranging and observation technologies of Earth's artificial satellites. The observatory is part of the International Laser Ranging Service.