RentAnObservatory is taking new pier bookings! Send us your gear, we install it, and you control everything from home — simple, reliable, perfect for serious imagers. Spots are limited: rentanobservatory.com.au Email: [email protected] Get true dark skies without leaving home. 🌌✨

The Week That Broke Us 😮‍💨 | Week 9 A week of tiny, painful jobs — and the ultimate test: forcing 12 mm rubber into the tiny cavity of 40×40 aluminium on every observatory. Cold, repetitive, physically brutal… but we pushed through and moved one step closer to the finish line. youtu.be/0wn82IAVsYA

"Neon Lights" Aurora and Startrail from Starview Farm last night with my 8" Takahashi running in the @astroworxengineering Roll Off Roof Observatory. Imaged with my Samsung S22 Ultra, 15 Second images at ISO3200. 900 Images stacked in Startrail App and processed in Lightroom App.

NEON GHOSTS Aurora Startrail from Starview Farm in Carapooe West last night. Samsung S22, 15 second images @ ISO3200 using Deep Sky Camera App. Stacked in Startrail app and edited in Lightroom App. #aurora #auroraaustralis #startrail #timelapse #Samsung #nightscape

Aurora Australis, at this time of year at this time of day, in this part of the country localized entirely within your dead tree.... Yes... May I see it? No...

Updates be updating

Blown Away 💨 | 10 Observatories in 10 Weeks – Week 8 Week 8 came in swinging, the wind tried to take everything with it. Somehow, we still got the last 2 roofs on & wrapped up the fiddly bits. Chaos, comedy, & construction, all in one windy finale. youtu.be/6X79wfBbBPE

Not a bad place to be working today. A little dome Maintenance on an Observatory down in Blairgowrie in Victoria on the Mornington Peninsula

Observatory Overdrive 🚀 | Week 7 Two more roll-off roof observatories, drills, ladders, late nights, and two perfect moonless skies — then a roaring windstorm. The field is finally taking shape: stars above, chaos below. youtu.be/LNfNkfaJajI

The Great T-Nut Shortage 🪛 | Week 6 Week 6 at Starview Farm, 4 new base frames, 4 new roofs, and one massive problem: we ran out of T-Nuts. Three clear, moonless nights, plenty of cladding, and a lot of creative problem-solving later, we somehow kept the chaos under control. youtu.be/keu0qaDJDic

NGC 1365 & Friends 14th October 2025 Carapooee West - Starview Farm (Vic) Skywatcher EQ6 Takahashi 8" F2.8 Epsilon Zwo 294 McPro 110 x 180 seconds 20 Darks, 20 Flats Stacked in Pixinsight, Processed in Pixinsight, Graxpert & Photoshop flic.kr/p/2rBK3YN

Orion Nebula 14/15th October 2025 Carapooee West - Starview Farm (Vic) Skywatcher EQ6 Takahashi 8" F2.8 Epsilon Zwo 294 McPro 110 x 180 seconds 20 Darks, 30 Flats Stacked in Pixinsight, Processed in Pixinsight, Graxpert & Photoshop flic.kr/p/2rBJVo2

It's been a busy month..... In a good way

Speed Build Mode | Week 5 Between working on other observatories, we set a challenge, build one complete roll-off roof observatory in a single day. Sunrise to sunset, full chaos, zero break & somehow, it worked. youtu.be/tHjkR9Mzesk

The Solo Week 🏕️ | Week 4 No crew, just me, a rooftop tent on the trailer and another roll-off roof observatory to build. The pub kept me fed, the headlamp kept me going — and one perfect night of clear skies made it worth it. youtu.be/JKM64JybIsQ

Single 15 second shot at iso3200 from my #Samsung S22 last night up at Starview Farm

Took this selfie under the milkyway last night. Was taken with my #Google #Pixel 6Pro in night mode. I had to stand still for 4 minutes for it 🤣

Kicking back up at StarView Farm again this week continuing work on the roll off roof Observatory project. Skies are stunning as usual.

Rain Delay? Nope 🌧️ | Week 3 Sideways rain, hail & gale-force winds tried to wipe out the 10 Observatories in 10 Weeks challenge, so I built 3, 4 and 5 anyway. Roll-off roofs fighting for survival, hail drumming on steel, mud stealing boots & no chance of better weather. youtu.be/nrT-PrB22CI

Hey everyone, today’s World Mental Health Day 💚 This cause means a lot to me. For today only, donations to my One Foot Forward fundraiser are doubled thanks to Safety Mate (up to $150K). Your support really helps. www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/...

UPDATED!! I went to IAC 2025 and accidentally had the wildest week of my life. Vegemite rockets, disco elevators, space robots, street parties, astro art and interviewing genius humans. I was NOT prepared. 🚀🛰️ #IAC2025 #Space youtu.be/mxIYTAsMOP0

❄️ Ice Breaker | 10 Observatories in 10 Weeks – Week 2 Week 2 brought a surprise — the kind of cold that slows every bolt and tests your patience. But commitment means building through it. Chaos in Week 1? Week 2 was pure character building. youtu.be/rrAgTYRb58Q

❄️ Ice Breaker | 10 Observatories in 10 Weeks – Week 2 Week 2 brought a surprise — the kind of cold that slows every bolt and tests your patience. But commitment means building through it. Chaos in Week 1? Week 2 was pure character building. youtu.be/rrAgTYRb58Q

Welp... What a week it's been! IAC2025 has been nothing short of amazing. Just absolutely mad, adventurous and crazy in every way. 1 day left the public day... Sooo that's gonna be fun but we shall persist.

This week I'm kicking back at the International Astronautical Conference in Sydney. AstroworX has a 12" RC Telescope on the Defense Australia stand.

Had an incredible time hosting Sea Lake Astro Fest! Talks, laughs, late-night chats & astro imaging at the motel. Loved sharing the skies at Lake Tyrell with the Seestar. Trivia was tough, Q&A deep, and the company even better. Next year’s the 5th anniversary—can’t wait!

Chaos Begins! 🚀 I’m building 10 observatories in 10 weeks and Week 1 nearly broke me. Long nights, big builds, and a wild start to this challenge. Watch the chaos unfold 👉 youtu.be/C8U92wGxSRY #Astronomy #10in10 #Observatory

A huge thank you to the generous supporter whose $240 donation just pushed me over the $1,000 mark. Your kindness and words really mean a lot. To that anonymous donor in particular, I’d love the chance to thank you properly. If you’re comfortable reaching out privately, I’d really appreciate it.

Lagoon Nebula 11th August 2025 (Full Moon) Starview Farm - Carapooee West (Vic) Skywatcher EQ6 Takahashi 8" F2.8 Epsilon Zwo 294 McPro 44 x 180 seconds 20 Darks, 20 Flats Stacked in Pixinsight, Processed in Pixinsight, Graxpert & Photoshop Flickr: flic.kr/p/2rv6Kzv

Corona Australis Molecular Cloud 11/19th Aug & 16/17/18th Sep 2025 Carapooee West - Starview Farm (Vic) Skywatcher EQ6 Takahashi 8" F2.8 Epsilon Zwo 294 McPro 366 x 180 seconds 20 Darks, 20 Flats Stacked in Pixinsight, Processed in Pixinsight, Graxpert & Photoshop Flickr: flic.kr/p/2ruSQTW

I live with depression & anxiety every day. This Oct I’m walking 200km for @blackdoginst’s One Foot Forward, a cause close to my heart. Please support or share 💙 YouTube: youtu.be/pByZwiX3Uio If you’re struggling: Lifeline 13 11 14 | blackdoginstitute.org.au Fundraiser Page - tinyurl.com/3df8we24

It's been a vinyl kind of day

Another week of Observatory building is finished. Back next week for more, 6 down with 4 more to go

Tonight I live streamed from a dark sky site in a roll off roof Observatory with my telescopes in the background. It was a cool experience & a lot of fun

Currently 440th on the fundraising list... Let's see how high I can get. www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/...

I could’ve bought a telescope filter wheel… but instead I 3D printed one. It sort of works, but mostly proves I make bad decisions in the name of astronomy & science. 🌌🔧 #3DPrinting #Astronomy #DIY youtu.be/XXgZkYIflMA

This October I’m walking 200km for One Foot Forward to raise funds for mental health. As someone who struggles myself, I know how important it is to support others who feel lost in the dark. My goal is $1,000. If you can, please donate or share 🙏 www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/...

Dark skies keep me grounded & protect my mental health—without them, I’d be lost. Please sign & share: www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/... 🌌 If you won’t listen to me, listen to @dylanodonnell.bsky.social l: youtu.be/fmSeov3HNXw?... 🌌

How's your week been? This is mine, still rocking it up here at StarView Farm building Observatories.

It was a @weezer.bsky.social Seasons kind of Sunday Afternoon

The 3D printed filter wheel is starting to come together. About halfway through printing all the parts needed.

From hosting VASTROC 2025 to fanboying @dylanodonnell.bsky.social what a weekend. Amazing astronomy nerds, too much beer, endless laughs & even learning Saturn could kill me with a giant snowball. Chaos, community & joy. 🎥 youtu.be/ZFZG8zlhcuw

All set up earlier tonight at sunset.

The Tak in motion as the milkyway sets above it. Imaged tonight using my Samsung S22 Ultra. Iso3200 x 15 second.

Hey @dylanodonnell.bsky.social I've got one of those very important questions. What would you consider the best opening riff from a Blink 182 song. For me it's "Ghost On The Dancefloor"

Milkyway earlier tonight while I was testing one of the new roll off roof Observatories I've been building in remote Victoria

To all my awesome followers, as you know I'm mad keen about dark skies & I hope you are as well, that's why I need to you sign this petition and share it far and wide. tinyurl.com/ywmk655c

The Roof That Yeets Itself (Prototype Observatory) Who builds space gear in the Aussie bush? …apparently us. Our aluminium roll-off roof observatory yeets itself open so the telescope can see the sky. Built in regional Victoria, it’s science, chaos & kangaroos. youtu.be/raI9hYzJXn0

Another clear night last night and another day working away building these roll off roof Observatories.

Dinner at the Farmers Arms Hotel in St.Arnaud. absolutely stunning place, love the vibe and the food was bloody amazing.