The Observatory

Located on the island of Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean, is a small astronomical observatory dedicated to deep sky astrophotography.

The observatory in the backyard of my house features a Skywatcher mount holding a 102mm telescope from the brand Svbony, along with a Nikon D5300 camera for astrophotography. This space is carefully situated in a secluded area of the garden, away from light pollution, to provide optimal conditions for observing the night sky. The observatory structure is compact yet functional, with a retractable roof that can be easily opened for unobstructed viewing. Surrounding the telescope, comfortable chairs are arranged for relaxation and enjoyment of the celestial spectacle.

1. **102mm Svbony Telescope**: The 102mm Svbony telescope is the primary instrument in the observatory. With a 102mm aperture, this telescope provides sharp and detailed images of celestial objects such as planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies. Its optical design delivers excellent performance for both visual observations and astrophotography.

2. **8-Inch Celestron Cassegrain Telescope**: The 8-inch Celestron Cassegrain telescope offers powerful magnification and is suitable for observing distant celestial objects with high resolution. Its Cassegrain design makes it compact and versatile, making it a valuable addition to the observatory's equipment.

3. **6-Inch Reflector Telescope**: The 6-inch reflector telescope is another valuable instrument for the observatory. With its large aperture and Newtonian reflector design, it provides excellent light-gathering capabilities for deep-sky observations, including galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae.

4. **Modified Nikon D5300 Camera**: The modified Nikon D5300 camera is essential for astrophotography. With its modified sensor for enhanced sensitivity to hydrogen-alpha wavelengths, it allows for capturing stunning images of celestial objects and deep-sky phenomena.

5. **Skywatcher Eq R6 Pro Mount**: The Skywatcher Eq R6 Pro mount serves as the stable and precise base for the telescopes and camera. It features advanced tracking capabilities, allowing for accurate tracking of celestial objects for extended observation and photography sessions.

6. **15-Inch Laptop with Windows 10**: The 15-inch laptop with Windows 10 serves as the control center for the observatory.

Starting from something very basic, I have moved on to something a little less basic, now the observatory has two PCs, one for acquisition and management of equipment and the other dedicated only to processing.
New ceramic floor, walls lined with drywall and a U-shaped desk, to have a more comfortable work area.

Currently, the photographs displayed here have been taken with a level entry Nikon D5300 camera. In the future, perhaps, I hope to have a dedicated refrigerated astrophotography camera.