Amateur Astronomical Observatories

Examples of small observatories that individual amateur astronomers have built for personal use. I started this list when doing research before building my own observatory. I got a lot of good ideas by looking at what others had done. Perhaps you will, too :-)

Building a small observatory is not all that hard. A simple roll-off roof design can be built in a few days with simple tools and materials easily available in your local building supply store. A dome is much more complicated but still can be done with more careful planning. Or you can buy a kit.

Note: New entries are marked with an asterisk

Vendors

SkyShed, very nice roll-off plans, kits and installations

At Home In A Dome

Backyard Observatories, custom roll-offs

Candomes Observatories, Ltd.

Roll Off Roofs

Abre Los Ojos; Agent Observatory; Paolo Aldinucci; Altan Observatory; Paul Andrew; Arctic Industries Optical Division; Area 52 Observatory; Ash Observatory; Ashen Path Observatory; Astronomical Research Observatory; Astropixlar (Swedish); The AstroShed; AstroSpringville, several observatories; Ballauer Observatory; Observatorio de la Ballona; Birch Tree Observatory; Birmingham Astronomical Observatory; Black Star Observatory; BlindEye Observatory; Jean-Pierre Bousquet; Bright Skies Observatory; Brooklyn Street Observatory; Buckhorn Observatory; Buena Vista Observatory; Bush Observatory; Observatori de Can Duran; Alan Castillo; Cat's Paw Observatory; Cave Creek Observatory; Center Street Observatory; Dale Chamberlain Observatory; Chickens in the Mist Observatory; Chico Community Observatory; Cloudbait Observatory; CopperHead Ridge Observatory; Corydon Ridge Observatory; Coyote Observatory; Cradle-Ribeiro Observatory; Darklight Observatory; Dark Skies Observatory; DeepSkyJam; Tom Diana; Don Dillinger's Garden Shed Obsevatory; * The Original Dobservatory; Mike Dodd; Dog House Astronomy; Dogwood Ridge Observatory; Rick Drozd; DuPage Valley Observatory; Martyn Elliot; ELT Observatory; Eta Carina Observatory; David Fansler; Darin Fields; Flint Hill Observatory; Marcel Fontaine; Frisco Observatory; Frome Valley Observatory; fredgui78 Observatory; Wayne Gay; Goodricke-Pigott Observatory; Graham Observatory; Haltom City Observatory; Harvest Moon Observatory; Hidden Loft Observatory; Hill Observatory; Hocking Hills Observatory; Hopkins Phoenix Observatory; Houston Astronomical Society; Hunters Hill Observatory; Hyde Memorial Observatory; Indian Hill Observatory; Christoph Joppa; W.M. Keck Observatory !!; Key Hole Observatory; Kiesel Park Observatory; Kikkut; Kochab Observatory; Kometland; Frans Lalleman; Land of Oz Observatory; Shane LaPierre; Laurent CORP; Steve Lee; Lentin Observatory; Linnhe Observatory; *Observatorio Lledoner; Lost Valley Observatory; MAC-Hunter Observing Site; Observatorio Mackay-J48; Ricardo Magalhães; Maidenwell Astronomical Observatory; Marcenciel; William R. Mattil; Robert Mauran; Meadow View Observatory; * Mole Manor Observatory; Morning Star Observatory; David Morris; Enrico Moltisanti; Mount View Observatory; M.T.S.O. Observatory; Nanango TIE QUT Observatory; Northern Stars Observatory; Nova Quest Observatory; Nunki-observatory
Observatory.se; Olympus Mons Observatory; Onan Observatory; Orange County Astronomers; Observatoire D'Orange; Owl Observatory; Valère Perroud; Observatoire Le Petit Borobia; Chris Picking; Piesport Observatory; Pine Forest Observatory; Pinhead Observatory 2; Planetary Perch Observatory; Pleasant Valley Observatory - Northern Arizona; Plus Ultra; The Point Observatory; L'Osservatore Ponte di Legno; Pop The Top Observatory; Mickael Porte; Prairie Grass Observatory; Ptolemy's Cafe; Putlands Observatory; Rancho DeLUX; Pedro Re; Red Barn Observatory; Observatory RigoRigo; Roropoulos Arxetypo Observatory; Rott'n Paws Observatory; Saaletal-Observatorium; Scutum Observatory; Marc Serrau; Seven Hills Observatory; Sierra Remote Observatories; Osservatorio Sintini
The Sillegården Observatory; Skafars Universe; SkyNet Observatory; The SkyRunner Observatory; South Tamworth Observatory; Spot Observatory; Starfield Observatory; Starhoo Observatory; Starlight Cascade Observatory; StarNavigator Astronomical Observatory; Starwood Observatory; STI Observatory; Stone Haven Observatory; Sweet Hill Observatory; Taconic Observatory; Taurus Observatory at DAV; Tim's StarDust Observatory; Three Fathoms Observatory; Timber Rock Observatory; Todi Astronomical Observatory; Cédric Thomas; Tweenhills Observatory; TwinOaks Observatory; Twin Pines Observatory; Observatoire du Val; Vanishing Point Observatory; Vedeler Observatory; Very Small Optical Observatory; Viento Ridge Observatory; Vitovlje Observatory; Watauga Skies Observatory; John Watzke; Westminster Astronomical Society
West Valley Observatory: Whistlestop Observatory; Windsong Observatory; Winer Observatory; Woodlands Observatory; Denny Woolaghan; York Creek Observatory; Zen Observatory
Zephyr Ridge Observatory; Zeta UMa Observatory

Piers

Bill Arnett's temporary hack

several at MAPUG

Le Sueur Manf. Co., Astro Pier

Pier_Tech, fancy piers

Domes

Abbey Ridge Observatory

Adirondack Skies Imaging Observatory

* Observatorio Los Algarrobos

Amos Observatory

Arch Cape Observatory

Arcturus Observatory

Astraeus Observatory

The Astronomy Center

Osservatorio Astronomico Bassano

Observatorio Astronomico Melaga

Baker Observatory

Bauerville Observatory

Bellcroft Observatory

Beinn View Observatory

Bel Tor Observatory

Benmore Peak Observatory

Biggs Observatory

Bil Hill Observatory

Birch Grove Observatory

Boothe Memorial Astronomical Society

Brayebrook Observatory

Las Brisas Observatory

Bronsonian Observatory

Aben Brown's Minidome

Camberley Observatory

Observatorio Las Cangrejeras

Cassiopeia Observatory

Cedar Glen Observatory

Chanctonbury Observatory

Chumack Observatory

City Observatory

Clanfield Observatory

Clearview Farm Observatory

Observatori Astronomic de Consell

Croatian Amateur Astronomy

Cymbeline Observatory

*DaltonSkyGazer

Deis Observatory

Digital SF Observatory

José Carlos Diniz

Deep Sky Observatory

Dimension Point Astronomical Observatory

DPP Observatory

Eagle Rock Observatory

Earwig Haven Observatory

Elk Creek Observatory

Flagey Felopaul Observatory

Fohbr Observatoriet

Frog Rock Observatory

Observatoire Gap-47

Gilday Observatory

Heaven's Glory Observatory

Goldendale Observatory

Good Night Observatory

Green Island Observatory

Grenville Base Observatory

Grimée Observatory

Halfmoon Stream Observatory

Hercules Observatory

High Plains Observatory

Holly Dome Observatory

Horizontal Heavens Observtory

Ironpan Observatory

Ironwood Observatories

JAT Observatory

Jornada Observatory

R.F. Joyce Observatory

Kletzen-Observatory

Kotipu Place Observatory

Observatorio Las Palmas

Lahti Ursa Observatory (Finnish)

Littlebear Observatory

Lone Star Observatory

Lucky Dog Observatory

MacSaySo Observatory

Madison Astronomical Society

Ed Majden's Observatory

Martz Observatory

Mauna Keratea Observatory

Observatorio Astronomico Municipal de Mercedes

Milwaukee Astronomical Society

Mistletoe Observatory

Monoceros Observatory

Observatorio Montaña Cabreja

*MonteVenere Observatory

Morgan County Observatory

Mt. Campbell Observatory
Murmer Creek Observatory

The Mueller Observatory

Nepean Observatory

Newcastle Observatory

New Forest Observatory

NF/ Observatory

New Jersey Astronomical Association

Nikau Observatory

Nova Astrophoto

Nyrola Observatory

OACP (Observatorio Astronómico Camino de Palomares)

*Observatorio Magnitud 4

Orbit House Observatory

Orion Observatories

Patina Gardens Observatory

Pebble Beach Obseratory

Pegasus Octagonian Observatory

Phatbobs Happy Place

Observatoire du Pic des Fées

Pickney Ridge Observatory

Pinhead Observatory

Pleasant Ridge Observatory

Powell Observatory

Prairie Grass Observatory

Prairehill Farm Observatory

Glen D. Riley Observatory

Ritchie Observatory

Plover Hill Observatory

Paul Robinson Observatory, NJAA

RD-1 Remote Observatory

Warren Rupp Observatory

RVO Observatory

Observatori Astronòmic de Sant Julià de Vilatorta

Werner Schmidt Observatory

L'Observatoire de Seloncourt

Seething Observatory

Sherwood Observatory

Skybadger Observatory

Smith Observatory

Smoggy Bottom Observatory

Sola Virtus Observatory

Amateur Observatory of South Finland

Stargate 4173 at Grimaldi Tower

Starhouse Observatory

The Stirland Observatory

Stradoun Observatory

Taurus Hill Observatory

Terra Rouge Observatory

Three Buttes Observatory

Three Rivers Observatory

Thrush Observatory

TOC Observatory

Esteban Troncoso

Twillingate Astronomical Observatory

Domi Verrascina

James C. Veen Observatory, two domes

Vitovlje Observatory

Wishing Star Observatory

Worchester Park Observatory

Xanadu Observatory

York Creek Observatory

Other Designs

Adler Observatory

Agaton Ley Observatory
Angel Light Observatory

Observatoire D'Arbaz - Anzere

ARGO Cooperative Observatory

Astroscopic Labs Observatory

Ballarat Observatory

Burton View Observtory

Michael Caligiuri

Club Observatory Columba

Conlin Hill Observatory

DarkSide Observatory

Deerlick Astronomy Village

The Down Under Observatory (a bat-wing style)

Greenbox Observatory

The Kielder Road Observatory

Lake Istokpoga Observatory

Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society

Lookum Observatory

Jim Loudon Observatory

Osservatorio Mazzotti

Oak Hill Star Shed Observatory

Oil Region Astronomical Observatory

Possum Observatory, a rotating building

Red N' Blue Observatory

Norman Reynolds

Rich Observatory

Observatorio Santa Elena

Seffner Telescope and Research

Split Rock Observatory

Star Deck Observatory

Star Watcher Observatory, Phil Harrington

Sunflower Observatory

Tenagra Observatories

VSOR Observatory

Whitepeak Observatory

Windy Ridge Observatory

Other Links

The ATM Page - Observatory Plans

vendors of astronomical equipment

Professional Observatories

Want your observatory listed here? Just email me your URL :-)