Southern Stars Observatory

On the western side of Tahiti, in French Polynesia, Southern Stars Observatory is a private research station built and run by amateur astronomer Roland Santallo, and registered with the International Astronomical Union under observatory code 930.

About Southern Stars Observatory

The observatory's main instrument is an 80/1000mm (3.2-inch) refractor, a relatively modest telescope put to serious scientific use through Southern Stars' involvement with international observing networks, including VSNET, the AAVSO, MicroFUN, PAWM, and KELT-South.

Telescopes & research

Southern Stars Observatory contributes to gravitational microlensing surveys, exoplanet detection campaigns, and observations of variable stars and supernovae, work that benefits from Tahiti's southern-hemisphere vantage point and its remoteness from other observing stations at similar longitudes.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits in Pamatai, in the commune of Faa'a on Tahiti, French Polynesia, one of the more remote inhabited islands from which amateur astronomy is regularly conducted.

Visiting Southern Stars Observatory

As a private research facility, Southern Stars Observatory does not run a formal public visiting programme; observations and access are arranged on request through its operator.

See your named star from here

Every star named through star-register.eu is registered with exact right ascension and declination, and a research telescope like the one at Southern Stars, already networked into international observing programmes, is well placed to find them. Explore our star catalogue or choose a naming package.