Astroshot Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
In County Kildare, Ireland, the Astroshot Observatory — also known as Narraghmore Observatory — is a private amateur site registered with the International Astronomical Union, run by astrophotographer Michael O'Connell.
About the observatory
Established roughly 14 years ago (as of around 2020), the observatory began life in a converted garden shed with a sliding roof. Its equipment includes a Celestron C14 telescope on a computerised Paramount equatorial mount.
Telescopes & research
The observatory's main activities are astrophotography and meteor detection and spectroscopy, carried out through the NEMETODE meteor network, which spans Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France.
Location & getting there
The observatory is located in County Kildare, Ireland.
Visiting the observatory
As a private amateur observatory, Astroshot does not function as a public visitor site; its work is shared primarily through astronomy networks and its own online presence. Check its website before assuming public access.
See your named star from here
The Celestron C14 on its computerised mount is the same class of instrument that can be pointed precisely at the coordinates of a named star. Name a star through Star Register and receive its exact position, recorded in the catalogue.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.