Our Planewave CDK17 and Astro-Physics AP155EDF telescopes appear to the far left in this fisheye view of
Chile Remote Observatory
In early 2020, I was talking to David Churchill, my astrophotography friend and observatory neighbor, and mentioned that I was seriously considering establishing a remote telescope in Chile to image the southern sky. This was the start of a series of conversations and planning that led to a partnership between the two of us on this project. We identified Obstech at Observatorio El Sauce, Chile as the ideal company to host our telescopes. At an altitude of 1570m (5151 ft) this observatory typically has over 300 clear nights a year.
In early October 2020, we shipped the following equipment to Chile.
- Planewave CDK-17 Telescope
- QHY 16200A Monochrome CCD Camera
- Astro-Physics AP155 EDF Refractor Telescope
- FLI PL29050 Monochrome CCD Camera
- Astro-Physics 1600GTO Astronomical Mount
By late October, our shipment arrived in Chile. A few weeks later, it was all being installed in one of Obstech's roll-off roof observatories where up to ten more telescopes reside. After colimation, polar alignment and equipment check out, we were ready to begin science operations. First light was around November 21 and the data has been flowing ever since.
Below are links to recent astrophotos taken from Chile Remote Observatory at Obstech, Observatorio El Sauce, Chile.
