Sierra.Remote.Observatories
Newsletter 21:.January 1, 2025
Website: www.Sierra-Remote.com or SRO.space
Newsletter 21:.January 1, 2025
Website: www.Sierra-Remote.com or SRO.space
Bring Your Telescope to Sierra Remote Observatories: An Ideal Site with Unparalleled Seeing Conditions for Astronomers, Space Industry Professionals and Astrophotographers.
An Introduction to Sierra Remote Observatories
SRO is a group of remote observatories located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and dedicated to remote and robotic data acquisition, imaging, satellite tracking and space communications. We have been operational continuously since 2007, with more than 150 telescopes currently on-site. We are uniquely located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in an area with excellent imaging conditions including:
• 1 arcsecond average summer seeing
• sub-arcsecond peak seeing (following astronomical twilight)
• dark skies at 21.80 mag/square arcsecond
• a very low incidence of thunderstorms
• no summer monsoons
• average wind speeds of only 1 mph
• an average of 290 clear nights per year.
We have easy access, being only one hour from the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport and 4 hours from Los Angeles or San Francisco, by car. We have robust, secure and fast fiber optic internet with satellite back up, network redundancy and 24/7 security. Our standard internet speed is 1 Gbps (full duplex) with higher gigabit speeds and dedicated fiber available. We have on-site technicians for daily repair and assistance. Roof control is based on on-site live weather telemetry. Clients have access to roof position files so they can optimize their imaging time and also have access to weather/seeing condition files. Our systems are redundant, including dual secure firewalls, an industrial grade Generac all-site generator and fiber optic internet backup with Starlink. Our clients include astrophysicists, space industry professionals, astronomical institutes and advanced amateur imagers. Contact us if you have any questions or if you are looking for a unique site to place your telescope. Our website is www.sierra-remote.com or SRO.space and our email address is [email protected].
Keith Quattrocchi
President and Founder
Sierra Remote Observatories
Read More
• 1 arcsecond average summer seeing
• sub-arcsecond peak seeing (following astronomical twilight)
• dark skies at 21.80 mag/square arcsecond
• a very low incidence of thunderstorms
• no summer monsoons
• average wind speeds of only 1 mph
• an average of 290 clear nights per year.
We have easy access, being only one hour from the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport and 4 hours from Los Angeles or San Francisco, by car. We have robust, secure and fast fiber optic internet with satellite back up, network redundancy and 24/7 security. Our standard internet speed is 1 Gbps (full duplex) with higher gigabit speeds and dedicated fiber available. We have on-site technicians for daily repair and assistance. Roof control is based on on-site live weather telemetry. Clients have access to roof position files so they can optimize their imaging time and also have access to weather/seeing condition files. Our systems are redundant, including dual secure firewalls, an industrial grade Generac all-site generator and fiber optic internet backup with Starlink. Our clients include astrophysicists, space industry professionals, astronomical institutes and advanced amateur imagers. Contact us if you have any questions or if you are looking for a unique site to place your telescope. Our website is www.sierra-remote.com or SRO.space and our email address is [email protected].
Keith Quattrocchi
President and Founder
Sierra Remote Observatories
Read More
Custom private observatories have always been an important part of what we provide at SRO. Because wind and humidity are not major factors at SRO, some of our customers have preferred the less expensive (about 1/3 the cost) roll-off roof designs, as opposed to the classic dome observatories. Other customers, at the planning stages at this time, have opted for classic dome designs. Upon completion of their custom observatories our clients are able to continuously occupy these observatories continuously and indefinitely, at discounted rates (having paid for the construction). This particular custom observatory shown above (Building #15) is fully insulated with heating and cooling, so that the mirror will begin each night with a thermally equilibrated mirror. This is especially useful an extremely hot summer day, when even the best of buildings can get hotter than the ambient temperature, and we can see a rapid drop in the temperature after sunset. The client can keep the mirror cooled to the expected temperature in the early evening. During the night, of course, this system will be deactivated to protect the seeing conditions of the site. Also, in this case, our client has a sharing arrangement with one of our most prolific clients, who will be placing an 8” Solar Telescope. Thus, this telescope will be busy every early morning and evening! When it comes to custom observatories, the sky is the limit. Current projects under consideration include a one meter Planewave in a classic dome, and a large custom observatory for a larger experimental telescope. Let us know your needs and we can make it happen for you at SRO. We have the seeing conditions necessary for larger telescopes and the expertise on site to keep your systems operating at peak efficiency.
What's New at Sierra Remote Observatories
New Multi-Telescope Buildings
Sierra Remote Observatories was founded in 2007 and has continued to grow, expand and improve . Initially there were just 8 small private observatories, with 6 large multi-telescope buildings added over the past several years. Several months ago, nearly every spot at SRO was taken, with over 125 telescopes currently installed. As a result two additional mid-sized multi-telescope buildings were recently completed and are operational with a few telescopes recently installed. Our continued growth is a testimate to our clients satisfaction with their experience at SRO, and we now have over 140 operational telescopes on site. Other recent updates over the past few years include our fiber optic internet upgrade. We now have standard 1 Gbps full duplex with higher gigabit speeds and dedicated fiber available. We have an on-site industrial grade Generac generator, redundant and secure firewall/VPN access, and Skylink as our satellite internet backup. Our roof control continues to utilize a customized version of the highly reliable and well-designed SkyRoof and SkyAlert. Weather condition and roof position files are available to our clients. |
Solar Power : Nearing Completion
Construction has rapidly progressed on the solar power array at SRO. We were concerned about our power usage and began to explore the possibility of taking advantage of our clear skies by producing our own electrical power. We decided on a robust system will have 120 solar panels, which will produce 48,000 watts. We will produce more energy than we use, returning extra power to PG&E. We also will have enough power for the potential growth of SRO. We also decided to design a system which will provide uninterruptable power under all conditions. This means having battery back-up when PG&E power (our power company) might fail. This system will be backed-up with two 18.5 Killowatt-hr Li-Fe-Phos batteries. With this feature a power interruption will not result in computers or switches rebooting, making small UPS unit next to the telescope (or other equipment) unnecessary (the switch over occurs in microseconds). In the event of a sustained power outage beyond the capacity of the batteries, the 27 kW generator will take over, again without any power disruption. As power returns the reverse sequence will commence. In all these scenarios, there should not be any power interruption. As with many of the redundant systems at SRO, we design them so you can focus on imaging and data collection, while we handle the many infrastructure issues. For more information about SRO, visit: www.sierra-remote.com |
Infrastructure Updates
At SRO we are continually improving and updating the infrastructure that allows uninterrupted data collection and imaging. Prior improvements include the addition of fiber optic internet with standard 1 Gbps full duplex with higher gigabit speeds and dedicated fiber available. Our fiber is backed up by Starlink. VPN access is performed through our dual (redundant) secure firewall. There is 24/7 surveillance at SRO. The owner lives on-site and SRO has full time technical support with technicians on site every day of the year and available for emergency services 24/7. Recently we added a skid steer tractor for all year use, including local snow plowing and crane utilization for larger telescopes and mounts. Most technical problems can be fixed on site. In the event an item needs to be returned for repair, we will ship it out and then reassemble the item. We also supply two hours per month of free support with additional support available, and will, without charge, assist you with your telescope installation and updating your equipment. In effect, if you cannot be present, we can install your telescope for you. Thereafter our staff will be your "eyes, ears and hands" on-site. Our goal is to make your remote data acquisition and imaging experience as trouble free as possible. In addition, we have added a whole site industrial grade Generac generator so that power will be present in the event of a PG&E power failure. A 120 panel solar system, with whole site battery backup and uninterruptible power, will soon be constructed (see prior article to the left). At SRO, we are continuously improving the extent and quality of our infrastructure so that you can focus on trouble free satellite tracking, space communications, data collection and astronomical imaging. Read More |
SRO Updates and Improvements
Last year we completed work on our latest multi-telescope buildings, Buildings 13 and 14. Although nearly full, SRO has space available and we will continue to ensure we have space available at all times, building out as necessary. We've also completed one custom private observatory with another undergoing permitting and a third in the planning stages. These custom observatories give our clients exclusive and continuous rights to rent at a discounted rate. We have authorization for several additional buildings, including large multi-telescope buildings, custom observatories and dome observatories. At SRO, we have always embarked on new construction before our site becomes full, so we can always accommodate new clients.
At SRO we have 10 private observatories (Buildings 1-8, 15, and 16) and six large custom designed multi-telescope roll-off roof buildings. Of these 6 large multi-telescope buildings, Buildings 9 and 10 are 26 x 36 foot buildings with 9 foot ceilings, Buildings 11 and 12 are 30 x 40 foot with 10 foot ceilings (each building can house 14 telescopes), and Building 13 and 14 are 20 x 24 foot with 10 foot ceilings and can each house 8 telescopes. The large multi-telescope buildings were constructed for larger telescopes, with nearly a 5 foot radius around each telescope and 9 to 10 foot ceilings. This allows us to easily handle larger telescopes, such as 28" or 32" telescopes in equatorial or Alt-Az configuration. We are able to put up custom domes or custom roll-off roof observatories for meter class telescopes. All of our buildings are built off the ground (for "below the floor" airflow) with wooden floors (no concrete slabs), in order to allow for more rapid thermal equilibrium. Even our roads are gravel and not asphalt, as asphalt slowly releases heat throughout the night and significantly disturbs the seeing conditions.
SRO has its new Headquarters in a property adjacent to SRO. The owner lives there and our on-site technicians also live nearly in Auberry. This greatly simplifies our ability to provide support at any time, 365 days each year.
In addition to these new and established buildings, we continue to update our infrastructure. Currently we have fast fiber optic internet with standard 1 Gbps full duplex and the option of dedicated fiber at higher gigabit speeds. These dedicated lines are already in place and available for customers who need private and dedicated fiber optic lines. We have an improved and standardized roof control system (modified SkyRoof and SkyAlert), emergency satellite internet backup (now using Skylink) and 24/7 security. We have two full time technicians on site 7 days a week, with emergency help available 24 hours a day. Our firewall is secure and redundant with a dedicated failover backup. We have an on-site Generac Generator with a thousand gallon propane tank, which can supply power for weeks in the unlikely event of a sustained power outage (see solar array article above). As the article on our solar power system details (see the article above), we are currently constructing a 120 panel solar array with integrated battery and generator backup, providing uninterruptible power to SRO. This array will produce 48,000 watts with integrated battery backup (two 18.5 Killowatt-hr Li-Fe-Phos batteries). We recently added a powerful skid steer tractor (New Holland 345), which can be used as a snow plow, forklift or crane for installing larger telescopes and mounts. SRO will no longer depend on others for these delicate and important activities.
We have virtually every size and brand of telescope at SRO, though with our unparalleled seeing conditions we are an exceptional site for larger aperture and longer focal length telescopes. We currenty have more than 150 operational telescopes at SRO.
Our goal at SRO has always been to build a site which is as trouble free and as seamless as possible, so our clients can focus on unencumbered satellite tracking, space communications, data acquisition and astronomical imaging. We continue to strive to be the premiere site for astronomical data collection and imaging for astronomers, space industry professionals and astrophotographers.
Keith Quattrocchi
President and Founder
Sierra Remote Observatories
At SRO we have 10 private observatories (Buildings 1-8, 15, and 16) and six large custom designed multi-telescope roll-off roof buildings. Of these 6 large multi-telescope buildings, Buildings 9 and 10 are 26 x 36 foot buildings with 9 foot ceilings, Buildings 11 and 12 are 30 x 40 foot with 10 foot ceilings (each building can house 14 telescopes), and Building 13 and 14 are 20 x 24 foot with 10 foot ceilings and can each house 8 telescopes. The large multi-telescope buildings were constructed for larger telescopes, with nearly a 5 foot radius around each telescope and 9 to 10 foot ceilings. This allows us to easily handle larger telescopes, such as 28" or 32" telescopes in equatorial or Alt-Az configuration. We are able to put up custom domes or custom roll-off roof observatories for meter class telescopes. All of our buildings are built off the ground (for "below the floor" airflow) with wooden floors (no concrete slabs), in order to allow for more rapid thermal equilibrium. Even our roads are gravel and not asphalt, as asphalt slowly releases heat throughout the night and significantly disturbs the seeing conditions.
SRO has its new Headquarters in a property adjacent to SRO. The owner lives there and our on-site technicians also live nearly in Auberry. This greatly simplifies our ability to provide support at any time, 365 days each year.
In addition to these new and established buildings, we continue to update our infrastructure. Currently we have fast fiber optic internet with standard 1 Gbps full duplex and the option of dedicated fiber at higher gigabit speeds. These dedicated lines are already in place and available for customers who need private and dedicated fiber optic lines. We have an improved and standardized roof control system (modified SkyRoof and SkyAlert), emergency satellite internet backup (now using Skylink) and 24/7 security. We have two full time technicians on site 7 days a week, with emergency help available 24 hours a day. Our firewall is secure and redundant with a dedicated failover backup. We have an on-site Generac Generator with a thousand gallon propane tank, which can supply power for weeks in the unlikely event of a sustained power outage (see solar array article above). As the article on our solar power system details (see the article above), we are currently constructing a 120 panel solar array with integrated battery and generator backup, providing uninterruptible power to SRO. This array will produce 48,000 watts with integrated battery backup (two 18.5 Killowatt-hr Li-Fe-Phos batteries). We recently added a powerful skid steer tractor (New Holland 345), which can be used as a snow plow, forklift or crane for installing larger telescopes and mounts. SRO will no longer depend on others for these delicate and important activities.
We have virtually every size and brand of telescope at SRO, though with our unparalleled seeing conditions we are an exceptional site for larger aperture and longer focal length telescopes. We currenty have more than 150 operational telescopes at SRO.
Our goal at SRO has always been to build a site which is as trouble free and as seamless as possible, so our clients can focus on unencumbered satellite tracking, space communications, data acquisition and astronomical imaging. We continue to strive to be the premiere site for astronomical data collection and imaging for astronomers, space industry professionals and astrophotographers.
Keith Quattrocchi
President and Founder
Sierra Remote Observatories
Above: SRO with two additional multi-telescope observatories (two large observatories in right background). All buildings are fully operational, with over 150 telescopes in use. The site has been continuously operational since first light in 2007.
Contact Information and Images from SRO
Fisheye view of SRO with the 4 larger multi-telescope buildings in the foreground and some of the 8 smaller private observatories in the background.
A view from inside SRO's Multi-Telescope Building 9. This building hosts more than 12 telescopes with a 4-5 foot radius around most telescopes. Note the wooden floor, as cement slabs emit stored heat during the night, contaminating the seeing characteristics.
We will happily install your entire imaging system for you. We have an on-site crane and other services available. Or, if you'd rather just have some assistance, we can do that as well. Complete turn-key installations are available with Planewave Instruments.
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The SRO newsletter is sent out semiannually. Our goal is to keep clients and interested professionals aware of changes, updates and projects at SRO. Feel free to contact us by phone or email at any time and with any questions you may have. Our phone numbers and email are listed below : Contact Information: Corporate Address Sierra Remote Observatories 42120 Bald Mountain Road Auberry, CA 93602 Corporate: 559-855-2473 Cell: 530-401-0643 (PST) [email protected] Observatory Location: Auberry, California General Inquiries: [email protected] President & Founder Keith Quattrocchi [email protected] 530-401-0643 (PST) Senior Technical Support: Sam Miller [email protected] & Evan Cornelson [email protected] Website: www.sierra-remote.com or www.SRO.Space |
The iTelescope.Net's 24" Planewave CDK.
The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand's (NARIT's) 0.7 meter Planewave telescope (CDK 700).
Winter view of our Multi-Telescope Buildings 9 and 10. More than a dozen telescopes of various size are ready to observe the night. The roll-off roof design is ideal for our site, as we have essentially no wind and only modest humidity. Classic dome observatories can be placed on request.
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SRO® and Sierra Remote Observatories® are Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Banner images by Keith Quattrocchi, Eric Coles and Mel Helm
Banner images by Keith Quattrocchi, Eric Coles and Mel Helm