Usage Note
Observatorio can refer to an astronomical observatory (observatorio astronómico), a meteorological station (observatorio meteorológico), or metaphorically to any body that monitors and reports on a field — observatorio de derechos humanos (human rights monitoring body). This institutional figurative use is very common in Spanish-language public policy and NGO contexts, going beyond the English 'observatory'.
Examples
"El observatorio captó una nueva estrella."
Natural Translation
The observatory detected a new star.

Free starter pack
Building your Spanish vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore Spanish by topic