After years of ‘wandering’ in search of a good spot, trips into the field dependent on time and weather, freezing nights, and sleepless hours, the time for a breakthrough change has finally come! A change that I hope will completely transform my astrophotography journey.
The idea started to sprout when, on an astrophotography forum, I noticed that some images were being taken from various, sometimes even very exotic locations. In the age of globalization, fast internet, open borders, and cheap flights, barriers and limits virtually no longer exist. And although this is no great revelation, I had never before considered a remote observatory. It was like a sudden epiphany… yes, why shouldn’t I give it a try? I started intensely digging through online forums and establishing new contacts and acquaintances. It quickly turned out that Spain is the most popular destination. There are quite a few places there offering telescope hosting services. The topographic conditions are excellent, especially in the northern and southern mountain regions, where light pollution is minimal, but most importantly, the weather conditions are generally favorable. My search narrowed down to three observatories offering telescope hosting services:
- AstroCamp in Nerpio – https://en.astrocamp.es
- PixelSkiesAstro in Castillejar – https://www.pixelskiesastro.com
- RoboScopes close to Fregenal de la Sierra – https://www.roboscopes.com/index.php
I made contact and after discussions, considerations… my choice fell on PixelSkiesAstro in Castillejar. Absolutely golden shot!!!
PixelSkiesAstro is a well-established and reputable place. Proven, with excellent reviews and a high level of reliability. Fantastic communication with Michelle during the contract preparation, organization, and formalities stage, as well as with the rest of the PSA team (David and Adam) during the installation and daily technical support. Everything is handled very professionally. The first step into the unknown was signing the contract.
The observatory itself is a complex of 9 buildings filled with telescopes, well-secured, fenced, and monitored. The business is run by a British family – three wonderful people. They live on-site, which means, firstly, they have everything under constant supervision and control, and secondly, in case of any need for assistance, their response is practically immediate. Great skies, good communication, and instant technical support are probably the key arguments when choosing the right place. Everyone works exclusively for PixelSkiesAstro, so nothing is done ‘on the side’ – everything is fully dedicated to this business. The help from David and Adam is truly invaluable.
The trip to the PixelSkiesAstro observatory in Castilléjar was incredibly exciting. A flight from Warsaw to Malaga, an overnight stay in Malaga, and the next day, following Michelle’s navigation tips in a rental car, I arrived at my destination. It was the beginning of November, yet I was welcomed by the sun and late-summer temperatures. I immediately fell in love with the silence, the peace, and the beautiful surroundings.
Another advantage of PSA is the possibility of accommodation on site in comfortable conditions. Three beds, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom … there is nothing missing here
credit: PixelSkiesAstro, https://www.pixelskiesastro.com/accommodation
The best was yet to come. David showed me around the area and all the observatories. Fantastic, fantastic experience!!!
By the end of the day, with Adam’s help, the telescope was ready for its first images. That night, I sat in the observatory with my head tilted back, unable to stop admiring the beautiful, star-filled sky. Only the hum of camera fans and mount motors reminded me that I was still on Earth – everything else was pure space. The telescope, cooled and ready for action, was waiting for its first starlight…
