Castelmartini observatory

Castelmartini Observatory is a private astronomical facility in Larciano, in the Tuscany region of Italy, dedicated to observational astronomy and celestial imaging.

About Castelmartini Observatory

The observatory sits at around 60 metres above sea level and is run by Enrico Prosperi, an Italian electronics engineer with a long-standing interest in amateur astronomy. Rather than a large public institution, it is a hands-on, personally operated station built for serious imaging work.

Telescopes & research

The observatory's main instrument is a Meade SSC-10 telescope on a German equatorial mounting, fitted with a Computer Drive System (unit #1697) for precise, motorised tracking. Imaging is done with a French Hi-SIS 22 CCD camera, and the whole setup can be operated remotely from indoors via a computerised control system, letting Prosperi run observing sessions without stepping outside.

Location & getting there

Castelmartini lies in the Larciano area of Tuscany, Italy, in the low-lying countryside west of Florence. As a private observatory, it is not laid out as a visitor attraction, but its coordinates are available on the map above for anyone researching the site.

Visiting Castelmartini Observatory

Because this is a privately run facility rather than a public institution, there is no published visitor programme. If you are interested in a visit, check for current contact details before travelling.

See your named star from here

Wherever you are near Larciano, a telescope pointed at the right coordinates can find any star in the sky, including one you've named. Name a star and get its exact right ascension and declination, then browse the catalogue to see how easy it is to locate from a dark-sky spot in Tuscany.