Texas Remote Observatories is privately owned. It's primary mission is to provide amateur astronomers
a place to host their telescopes for remote dark sky imaging.
With today's ever increasing light pollution, amateur imagers now utilize narrow band filters to image from light polluted environments. At TRO the
skies are pristine which allows full broadband imaging of faint galaxies and deep space objects without any loss of detail with both broadband and narrow band filters.
Sky Quality Measurements (SQM) at the observatory are typically better than 21.7. This is truly a Bortle 1 location.
TRO is located near Throckmorton Texas on the historical and rustic SMS-Swenson family ranch. The observatory has been in operation continuously since 2020 and currently hosts 6 remote imaging telescopes in its primary observatory. The main building was constructed by Backyard observatories and includes a warm room for observatory control systems.
TRO successfully switched to Starlink as an Internet Provider in 2023 and service has been 100% reliable. Due to the remote environment, there is no mobile
cellular service at the site. Wi-Fi calling is available on-site while at the observatory.
The latest Starlink speed test was Mar 2, 2024:
184.3 Mbps download From Dallas, US
12.2 Mbps upload To Dallas, US
27.0 Ms latency To Dallas, US
A SkyAlert weather station is located outside the observatory and reports
updated weather conditions 24/7 real-time. It is connected to the roof control system and
will automatically close the observatory roof when unsafe weather conditions are detected.
Seeing usually ranges between FWHM 1.9-2.5 arc seconds at the Zenith during typical Texas nights.
During clear summer nights or late winter seeing can run between 1.4 -2 arc seconds.
In Texas during the summers very hot temperatures, stable high pressure areas tend to produce some
extremely good seeing and imaging weather over longer periods. TEC coolers are another issue.
The observatory typically reports 21.75 and greater MPSAS during evening sessions.
This is truly Bortle 1..2. The darkness is superb and there are no gradients in 20+ minute broadband exposures. Most importantly
the sky is so dark dim objects can be recorded in very short sessions.
There are 2 modern guest houses (Casitas) on-site that are available to rent on a per night basis during maintenance trips.
Each Casita is includes 2 separate beds, showers, heating/ac, small refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot.
The nearest food available is in Throckmorton a 25 minute drive. It's a good idea bring your own food. Chain Breakers Pizza in Throckmorton is only
open during weekdays for business. The Pizza is excellent and they have a salad bar too. There is an AllSups Convenience store and Clint's
Grocery & Gas station across the street. The next food location is a 45 minutes drive to the Bobcat Cafe in Newcastle, or a little further 1 hour
to a rustic or traditional restaurant in Graham Texas.
