Sierra Remote Observatories
Since founding Sierra Remote Observatories (SRO) in 2007, we have been striving to make it a premiere destination for automated astronomical data collection and imaging. After an exhaustive search, we chose our site for its exceptional seeing, darkness, mild weather, and convenience. This site is unique, with 1-1.2 arcsecond seeing, 290 clear days per year, wind speeds of only 1 mph, no summer monsoons, and rare thrunderstorms.  Our location in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at 4610 feet keeps us above the central valley inversion zone without being so high as to incur brutal winter conditions.  We are accessible all year round, being only one hour by car from the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport.  We are fortunate in having fiber optic internet with 100 mbps upload and download speeds (full duplex), with dedicated fiber optic cable with gigabit speeds available.  We have full time 24/7 technical support with local and on-site machine shop and computer services available.  Most repairs are performed on-site and we can ship more complicated issues within 24 hours, reassembling your telescope upon their return. 

 SRO began as our private observatory but quickly grew into a professional site for data collection and imaging.  We currently have 12 operational observatories and over 50 telescopes in operation at SRO.  The first observatories constructed at SRO were the eight smaller 10' x 12' roll-off roof observatories generally used for those who need or desire their own personal observatory.  After construction they quickly became occupied, and so we built our first multi-pier observatory, using the roll-off roofs design.  These structures are ideal for out site in view of our average wind speed of only 1 mph.  We currently have four large multi-pier observatories at SRO.  These observatories have telescopes of various sizes, from 0.7 meters to small refractors.  Our more recent projects include acquisition of a break room for those working on their telescopes.  Our clients include astronomers from universities and astronomical institutes, space industry professionals, and amateur imagers from around the world.  To our existing clients, we are grateful for your trust. For our new clients we extend to you a warm welcome to SRO.
All the best,
​Keith Quattrocchi and Mel Helm

​Mel Helm (left) and Keith Quattrocchi (right) at Sierra Remote Observatories

​Mel Helm and Keith Quattrocchi at a conference, 2019.

SRO Founders and Management

Keith B. Quattrocchi

Keith Quattrocchi is an SRO founder and co-manager.  Dr. Quattrocchi is a Neurological Surgeon and holds a doctorate in Immunology.  He has a lifelong interest in astronomy and astrophotography. Dr. Quattrocchi also manages new site projects.

Mel Helm

Mel Helm is an SRO founder and co-manager.  Dr. Helm has a neurology practice in the near-by city of Fresno. He has a lifelong interest in astronomy and astrophotography.  Dr. Helm also operate a machine shop for SRO.

On-site Technical Support

Evan Cornelson

Evan Cornelson studied at CSU, Fresno, with special training in networking and software engineering.  He has experience in computer repair, web design, and networking.  He grew up in Tollhouse, just a few miles from Sierra Remote Observatories.

Sam Miller

Sam Miller grew up near Auberry, just miles from Sierra Remote Observatories.  He has worked at SRO for several years and has special training in telescope repair, including PlaneWave and Software Bisque mounts. He has extensive experience and formal training in Welding and CNC Machining. He is skilled with telescope repair and networking.  

SRO Newsletters
At SRO we publish newsletters on a biannual basis.  These newsletters discuss a number of topics of relevance to the site including new projects and infrastructure updates.  You can review these newsletters at: www.sronewsletters.com