Stone Edge observatory

At Stone Edge Farm near Sonoma in California's Napa County, Stone Edge Observatory gives students hands-on experience running a research-grade telescope.

About Stone Edge Observatory

The observatory is operated by GLAS (Geneva Lake Astrophysics and STEAM) Education and is built around a 0.5-metre (20-inch) Ritchey-Chrétien telescope from RC Optical, fitted with an FLI Proline PL230 camera using an e2v CCD 230-42 chip.

Telescopes & research

High school and undergraduate students use the facility to learn observing session planning and data reduction, with results contributed to the Journal of the Association of Variable Star Observers and the Minor Planet Center. The observatory also runs the Stone Edge All-Sky Survey (SEAS), a systematic mapping of the entire visible sky that has built up roughly a decade of consistent, professionally reduced data for student research.

Location & getting there

Stone Edge Observatory sits at Stone Edge Farm near Sonoma, in California's Napa County wine country.

Visiting Stone Edge Observatory

Stone Edge Observatory primarily supports student research and training rather than casual public visits; check current programme details before planning a trip.

See your named star from here

The same 20-inch telescope that students use to survey the sky night after night could, in principle, be pointed at the exact right ascension and declination on your star certificate. Browse the full star catalogue to find your star.