Private Observatory · Est. 1987
Where the universe reveals itself.
An hour east of the last streetlamp, a ridge at 2,340 metres. A heated lodge, twelve research-grade telescopes, and the longest-kept dark-sky licence in California. Join us for an evening under Bortle Class 2 skies.
Signature Experiences
Four ways to spend a night under the stars.
From a two-hour introduction with a working astronomer to an entirely private evening on the ridge - every programme is guided, all equipment is provided.
Stellar Introduction
A two-hour guided session - the Moon, visible planets, and the season's brightest deep-sky objects through our refractors. Ideal for first visits.
Deep Sky Explorer
The 24-inch Cassegrain and a curated object list - galaxies, globular clusters and nebulae - with a senior astronomer at the eyepiece.
Astrophotography Workshop
Bring your camera, leave with a finished image. We cover planning, acquisition, calibration, stacking and processing in one full evening.
By the Numbers
Thirty-seven years of keeping count.
- Years Operating
- 37
- Stars Catalogued
- 142k
- Guests Hosted
- 28k
- Telescopes
- 12
Upcoming
Celestial events on our horizon.
The next three events visible from Darkmoor Ridge. Reservations for each open six weeks in advance.
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Meteor
Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower
Halley's Comet debris delivers 40–50 meteors per hour across the predawn eastern sky. Moonless conditions this year make for ideal viewing.
Peak: 03:40 PTZHR: 50
-
Meteor
Perseids Peak
Moonless peak this season - our annual flagship night. Expect 100+ meteors per hour at maximum. Member reservations open first.
Peak: 02:00 PTZHR: 100+
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Eclipse
Total Lunar Eclipse
Eighty-two minutes of deep copper totality - a rare full-totality view from our latitude. Heated observation pads and warm drinks throughout.
Totality: 01:11 PTUmbra: 1.35
From Our Guests
The view, reviewed.
I've chased eclipses on three continents - Aether gave me the rarer thing: stillness. The most profound night I have spent under stars.
We reserved the private evening for our anniversary. Watching Jupiter's moons drift across the field, champagne in hand - that was cinema.
The workshop changed the way I see the night. I left with images I'd been chasing for years, and the workflow to make the next ones on my own.
Reserve Your Evening
Book your night under the stars.
Reservations are confirmed by correspondence, not by a calendar widget. Write to us - we reply within one business day.