Sierra Remote Observatories
Since founding Sierra Remote Observatories (SRO) in 2007, we have been striving to make it a premiere destination for automated astronomical imaging. After an exhaustive search, we chose our site for its exceptional seeing, darkness, weather, and convenience. The eight smaller 10' x 12' roll-off roof observatories were constructed first. They quickly became occupied, so we built our first multi-pier observatories with roll-off roofs. These observatories are currently filled with larger telescopes from professional astronomers and amateur imagers from around the world. Now, we are working on our next two multi-pier observatories, which we expect will be available in the fall of 2018. We hope to apply all that we have learned over the years to make these new observatories more sophisticated and designed to accommodate even larger telescopes. 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,
Mel, Keith, and Anna

​SRO Founders

​Mel Helm and Keith Quattrocchi at Sierra Remote Observatories

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

SRO Management

Keith B. Quattrocchi

Keith Quattrocchi manages new observatory projects and marketing.  Dr. Quattrocchi is a Neurological Surgeon and
holds a doctorate in Immunology.  He has a lifelong interest
in and astrophotography. 

Mel Helm

Mel Helm is SRO's general manager.  Dr. Helm has a neurology practice in the near-by city of Fresno. He has a lifelong interest in astronomy.  Dr. Helm also operates 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.  

Finance, Contracts and Human Resources

​Anna Bator manages human resources, finances and contracts. Anna is a graduate of the NYU Stern School of Business and she helps with these and other business aspects of SRO.

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