Quainton Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Tucked away near the village of Quainton in Buckinghamshire, this private observatory proves that serious astronomy doesn't need an institutional budget.
About Quainton Observatory
Quainton Observatory is a home-built, fully automated observatory in the heart of England. Its design and construction were notable enough to be featured in the Journal of the British Astronomical Association, which highlighted the amateur engineering behind its automated setup.
Location & getting there
The observatory sits near the village of Quainton in Buckinghamshire, in the countryside north-west of Aylesbury, England.
Visiting Quainton Observatory
As a private, home-built facility, Quainton Observatory isn't a public visitor attraction. If you're interested in observing sessions in the area, look for local astronomical societies or public stargazing events near Aylesbury.
See your named star from here
Quainton's automated setup is exactly the kind of amateur rig that can find a star once its coordinates are known. After you name a star with Star Register, its right ascension and declination let a similarly equipped observatory point straight at it – browse the star catalogue to see the details for your star.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
