Centro de Estudos Astrônomicos de Alagoas

What Centro de Estudos Astrônomicos de Alagoas does

Centro de Estudos Astrônomicos de Alagoas (CEAAL) is a Brazilian civil non-profit astronomy organization founded on April 22, 1989, by Genival Leite Lima, and headquartered at Usina Ciência in Maceió, Alagoas. The organization is composed of volunteer professionals and students from diverse fields and conducts activities across astronomy education, public outreach, and amateur research. Its core programming includes free weekly public observation sessions at its headquarters, the long-running Curso de Iniciação à Astronomia (CIAst) — which completed its 55th edition in June 2026 — the Palestra da Lua Cheia lecture series, and live-streamed content on YouTube and Instagram. The organization also delivers institutional courses in partnership with the Federal Institute of Alagoas (IFAL) and participates actively in regional events including the Encontro de Astronomia do Nordeste (EANE) and SEBRAE's Nordeste ON.

CEAAL's underlying technology stack centers on a fleet of Seestar robotic telescopes (S50 Darimann, S30, and S30 Pro) used for automated astronomical observation, astrophotography, and scientific monitoring — notably the photometric monitoring of Nova Muscae 2026 (V0419 Mus), which contributes observational data to international astronomical databases. The organization also uses Space Engine digital simulation software for educational presentations and is piloting citizen-science initiatives such as Southern Cross constellation mapping.

Its business model is that of a volunteer-driven non-profit civil entity (entidade civil sem fins lucrativos) with no commercial revenue streams. All public-facing activities are offered free of charge, including observation sessions, courses, and lectures, and the organization is funded through member contributions and voluntary participation. CEAAL holds Municipal Public Utility (Lei 5.537/2006) and State Public Utility (Lei 6.827/2007) designations, and serves two primary segments: the general public and astronomy enthusiasts, and educational institutions seeking astronomy curriculum support across Northeast Brazil.

Name

Centro de Estudos Astrônomicos de Alagoas

Legal name

Centro de Estudos Astronômicos de Alagoas

Website

https://ceaal.org.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CEAAL is a Brazilian civil non-profit astronomy organization founded in 1989 in Maceió, Alagoas, that delivers free astronomy education, public observation sessions, introductory courses, and citizen-science programs to the general public and educational institutions across Northeast Brazil.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Maceió

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Non-profit Educational Organization: CEAAL is a civil nonprofit entity (entidade civil sem fins lucrativos) that operates through member contributions and voluntary participation. No commercial revenue streams are described. The organization focuses on education, research, and popularization of astronomy rather than revenue generation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CEAAL is a civil non-profit astronomical organization that provides free public observation sessions, introductory astronomy courses (CIAst), institutional astronomy courses in partnership with IFAL, the Palestra da Lua Cheia lecture series, live streaming content on YouTube and Instagram, and scientific monitoring of variable stars using robotic telescopes. All activities are conducted free of charge from its headquarters at Usina Ciência in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil, targeting the general public, students, and amateur astronomers.

Product overview

CEAAL offers a portfolio of astronomy education and outreach products and services centered around its headquarters at Usina Ciência in Maceió, Alagoas. The core offerings include free public observation sessions using robotic Seestar telescopes, formal introductory astronomy courses (CIAst and IFAL partnerships), the traditional Palestra da Lua Cheia lecture series, live streaming content on YouTube and Instagram, the annual Revista Apolo publication, and EANE Kids activities for children. The organization also conducts scientific astronomical observations including photometric monitoring of variable stars like Nova Muscae 2026 and astrophotography training. These products collectively serve to advance astronomy dissemination, education, and research in Alagoas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Observações Públicas Gratuitas (Free Public Observation Sessions) Free weekly public observation sessions using robotic telescopes at the CEAAL headquarters at Usina Ciência, Maceió, where visitors can view celestial objects under guided instruction. Targeted at the general public, families, and amateur astronomy enthusiasts in Alagoas.
• Curso de Iniciação à Astronomia (CIAst) Traditional introductory astronomy course combining theoretical formation, practical astronomical observation, and certification for participants. The 55th edition was completed in June 2026 with 14 graduating students. Targeted at beginners and amateur astronomers seeking structured astronomy education.
• Curso de Iniciação à Astronomia IFAL Satuba/CEAAL Introductory astronomy course offered in partnership with the Federal Institute of Alagoas (IFAL) at Campus Satuba, covering topics such as history of astronomy, celestial movements, seasons, eclipses, tides, and moon phases. Targeted at IFAL students in Alagoas.
• Palestra da Lua Cheia (PLC) Traditional full moon lecture series featuring presentations on astronomy topics including Space Engine digital simulation and astronomical fundamentals. Targeted at the general public and astronomy enthusiasts.
• Monitoramento da Nova Muscae 2026 (V0419 Mus) Scientific monitoring program using robotic telescopes to perform systematic photometric observations of the variable star Nova Muscae 2026 (V0419 Mus), contributing data to international astronomical databases. Targeted at the scientific amateur astronomy community and international research databases.
• EANE Kids Astronomy activities and educational materials designed for children, featuring quizzes and activity booklets, inspired by the CIAst Kids program. Targeted at children and families attending regional EANE events.
• Revista Apolo Annual publication of CEAAL celebrating the organization's history, achievements, and activities. Targeted at CEAAL members, the general public, and astronomy enthusiasts.
• Astrofotografia (Astrophotography) Astronomical imaging education and services covering principles, equipment, and techniques for capturing celestial objects such as nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters. Targeted at amateur astronomers and photography enthusiasts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 55 consecutive CIAst course editions completed with hundreds of graduates
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IFAL (Instituto Federal de Alagoas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal partnership with IFAL Campus Satuba for conducting the I Curso de Iniciação à Astronomia IFAL Satuba/CEAAL. CEAAL provides instructors and curriculum while IFAL provides facilities and student coordination through Professor Ana Paula Praxedes. Sessions held biweekly with approximately 8 students per class.
• SEBRAE (Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCEAAL participated in the Nordeste ON event, promoted by SEBRAE as one of the main innovation, entrepreneurship, and creative economy gatherings in the region. CEAAL member Moezio Vasconcellos delivered a lecture on scientific dissemination in the Arena Perifa.
• LINNEA (Liga Nordestina de Astronomia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional astronomy network connecting amateur astronomy organizations across Northeastern Brazil. CEAAL participates in governance through representation at LINNEA leadership votes and hosts regional events like EANE.
• EANE (Encontro de Astronomia do Nordeste)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest amateur astronomy event in Northeast Brazil, held annually. CEAAL is an active participant presenting research, hosting workshops, and contributing to program development. The 2026 edition was hosted in Satuba, Alagoas.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Fundação Planetário da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian planetarium and science center operating from Rio de Janeiro with public shows, school programs, and astronomy outreach. Comparable in astronomy public-education mission but serves a different geographic market (Rio vs. Alagoas) and operates with municipal foundation backing.
• Museu de Astronomia e Ciências Afins (MAST): Brazilian federal museum and research unit on astronomy and related sciences, located in Rio de Janeiro. Comparable as a Brazilian astronomy-focused public-facing institution, but operates with federal funding and curatorial museum functions CEAAL does not perform.

Direct peers

• Astronomical League: U.S. federation of amateur astronomy societies that coordinates observation campaigns, awards, and conventions. Closely comparable as a member-club-driven amateur astronomy umbrella organization with educational programming.
• Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP): Long-running U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to astronomy education and public outreach, with programs for teachers, students, and amateur astronomers. Comparable mission profile (education + outreach + citizen science) but at a larger, more resourced scale.
• Sociedade Astronômica do Brasil (SAB): Brazil's national amateur astronomy society, focused on astronomy education, outreach, and connecting amateur astronomers across the country. Directly comparable to CEAAL in mission (non-profit, member-driven, public education and observation) and operates at a national rather than regional scale.
• Liga Nordestina de Astronomia (LINNEA): Regional network of amateur astronomy organizations across Northeastern Brazil, of which CEAAL is an active member. Comparable as a coordinating body for Northeast Brazilian astronomy clubs and a vehicle for joint events like EANE.

Broad incumbents

• International Astronomical Union (IAU): Global organization of professional astronomers that also coordinates outreach programs such as the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach. Relevant as the upper-tier incumbent connecting amateur organizations to international astronomy, including citizen-science data sharing.
• Royal Astronomical Society (RAS): Established UK-based learned society and charity promoting astronomy, geophysics, and planetary science. Comparable in non-profit mission to advance astronomy, but operates at a much larger scale with professional membership and publishing activities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ceaal
• Instagraminstagram.com/ceaal
• Xx.com/Alagoastronomia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ceaal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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