SkiesAway’s first on-site observatory project is a 10′ x 14′ roll-off initially using the SkyShed design. It houses 2 piers, one of which is a collaborative project with Kevin LeGore of Focus Astronomy, Richard Wright, and Michael Hattey of Starlight Xpress. It consists of

• Sky-Watcher Esprit 150mm f/7 Triplet Apochromatic Refractor
• Software Bisque Paramount MX+ Equatorial Mount
• ZWO ASI6200MM
• Square 50mm Chroma LRGB, Hα, OIII, and SII Filters in the SX Color Filter Wheel with OAG

Live webcam

Live Star Party Broadcasts: Star Stream by Focus Astronomy

Hosted here at the Falling Eagle Observatory, part of the SkiesAway Remote Observatories complex.  As described by Focus Astronomy:

“Star Stream is an interactive, digital star party that takes place live on the Focus Astronomy YouTube channel. During these events our team streams live images directly off our telescopes to the world. Throughout the live stream our astronomers move the telescope to different objects and talk about interesting facts, phenomena and stories behind the object. Attendees can ask questions and request which objects to view through the Live Chat during the stream.”

Check out the Star Stream events on Focus Astronomy’s YouTube page.

Origin of the name: It so happens that bald eagles nest here which was a complete surprise to us.  They literally fly over the observatory.  And on the symbolic side, we tied a little mythology from the constellation Lyra the harp which passes directly overhead in the summer, just as our bald eagles do.  Part of that mythology involves an eagle carrying the lyre harp, named Aquila Cadens, or “Falling Eagle”.