Premier Remote Telescope Hosting in Bortle 1 Skies

Unlock 275+ viewing nights per year with sub-arcsecond seeing (1.1-1.9″), 21.78 mag/sq arcsecond darkness, and professional on-site technical support for serious astrophotographers, universities, researchers, companies, and astronomers in Animas, New Mexico.

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Remote Telescope Hosting in New Mexico

Located in the remote Peloncillo Mountains foothills at 4,406 feet elevation, Dark Sky New Mexico offers Bortle 1 skies with virtually no light pollution—ideal for deep-sky astrophotography and research. Our facility outshines competitors with 53 piers across 20 roll-off roof observatories, accommodating setups from 5-6″ refractors to 20-24″ reflectors.

Unrivaled Dark Skies

Situated in a region renowned for its clear dark skies, our facility maximizes your imaging time, outpacing global competitors with consistent access to pristine conditions. Experience 21.78 mag/sq arc second, 275+ viewing nights annually, and astronomical seeing averaging 1.1-1.9 arc seconds. It is a special environment!

High Speed Fiber Optic Internet

Dedicated Valley Telecom fiber optic line and a 1Gb symmetrical system ensures high speed performance— critical for real time remote control and large data set transfers.

Reliable Electrical and Communications Systems

A hardened commercial electrical distribution system, as well as an internal fiber optic base grid ensure reliable utility performance that minimizes system downtime.

Secure & Automated Facilities

Solid, professional construction ensures DSNM observatories can withstand any weather conditions. Technically advanced roof motor control and weather stations are integrated to ensure your equipment is protected at all times. Over the last 10 years, they have operated flawlessly.

Global Community of Experts

Join a community of prominent astrophotographers, universities, researchers, and corporations that have chosen DSNM as their remote location. DSNM members currently come from seven different nations located on three continents as well as 23 US states.

24/7 Technical Support

If you’re having a problem with your system, a phone call or email gets an immediate response. No service tickets, no waiting, no system downtime. Most problems are solved within 24 hours by our well trained, experienced technical staff.

Our Accomodations

Studio apartments are available for visiting astronomers. They are fully furnished to include coffee, tea, and bottled water.

All DSNM astronomers are allotted 10 FREE nights per year based on availability.

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New State of the Art Observatory Under Construction

Observatory will be available for installations beginning of July 1, 2026.

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Our Observatory Facilities & Infrastructure

Our continuously improved facilities position us as North America’s leading remote telescope hosting site, focusing on your telescope’s performance with automated protections and scalable options.

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Observatory Layout:

53 piers housed in 20 roll-off roof buildings, accommodating telescopes from 5-6″ refractors to 20-24″ reflectors with ample swing diameters.

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Security Protocols:

24/7 monitoring and solid construction safeguard against environmental risks.

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Automation Features:

Fail-safe sensors prevent exposure to rain or unsafe winds, maximizing uptime during 275+ clear nights.

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Technical support:

On-call maintenance and installation for custom rigs, including electronics and mount repairs.

Facility Highlight	Key Specs	Advantage for Members
Viewing Nights	275+ per year	Consistent data collection year-round
Piers & Buildings	53 piers in 20 observatories	Scalable for research teams or multiple setups
Internet & Power	Dedicated fiber optic & electrical	Real-time remote operations without lag
Seeing Average	1.1-1.9 arcseconds	High-resolution imaging superior to urban sites

Membership Option

Memberships include everything needed for high-quality astrophotography, astronomy studies, or astronomy research. We have flexible terms to suit everyone’s needs.

Membership

Starting at

$399/month

98-inch diameter space allotted to each scope position; accommodates nearly any telescope
Reliable electrical power from a hardened internal commercial system
High-speed symmetrical 1 Gb fiber optic internet
24/7 technical support; one call or email gets an immediate response
+ On-site security that protects your equipment
+ Access to a full maintenance shop with tools, machining equipment, and 3D printers
Complimentary studio apartment lodging when visiting
Your equipment is insured up to $25,000

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What our Community of Astronomers are Saying

Join a global network of like-minded professionals and enthusiasts. Here’s what our expert members achieve with our reliable skies:

I got tired of driving outside town to image with a mobile setup and acquired a permanent observatory in New Mexico away from the city lights.

Bernard Miller

In 2016 I moved my imaging system to a robotic observatory located at Dark Sky New Mexico near Animas, NM. I also do some lunar/planetary imaging from my backyard in Tucson.

Gregg Ruppel

Urban astronomer transitioned from Bortle 9 NYC; permanent setup here yields more imaging time monthly than yearly at home.

Tinchi Lee

IT head with 160+ published images; praises our value for budget-conscious pros in the Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri.

Dan Crowson

Scientific consultant sharing a 20″ Planewave CDK; values our dry, dark skies for physics-degree-level imaging.

Rex Groves

I transitioned my equipment to a permanent remote observatory at Dark Sky New Mexico, a truly exceptional dark-sky location for deep-sky astrophotography.

Brian Paczkowski

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