Frequently Asked
Questions.
Everything you need to know before hosting your telescope.
Explore the answers below, or go deeper into our observatory operating rules and policies.
Explore the FAQs
01What is the cost to host your telescope here at PixelSkiesAstro?
Our standard pier space hosting is €300 per month + IVA (21%). Just under €12/day for secure telescope hosting with on-site support in rural Andalucía.
Our small pier space hosting is 250€ per month + IVA (21%), which is just 10€ per day for our secure hosting with on-site support.
02What services do we provide?
We regularly clean the observatories and equipment (excluding optics), and we're on-site to provide hands-on help. Maintenance and technical assistance are available on request via our support system.
03What are the equipment requirements?
There are no minimum specifications—your system just needs to be in good working order and capable of remote operation. We host everything from Seestars and Sky-Watcher/AM5-class mounts to 10Micron and PlaneWave systems.
04How many clear nights do we have per year?
On average, we have 240+ nights per year when the roof opens.
Recent totals:
2021 = 245
2022 = 243
2023 = 248
2024 = 223
2025 = 210
05Do we offer insurance?
Yes— insurance is available as an optional annual add-on, covering accidental damage, fire, theft, and flood.
06Do I need any additional equipment?
All customers must use a UPS for backup power, an Ethernet switch, and a way to remotely power-cycle devices (Wi-Fi power switch or a Pegasus Astro hub). Most customers also choose to install a camera to have a visual of their equipment in the observatory. Links will be provided to the exact models required.
07How do I access my observatory PC?
We provide access using Splashtop Business, allowing you to securely connect to your observatory PC remotely.
08What happens in an emergency or if something goes wrong?
We use a ticketing system in our app for support requests. For urgent issues, customers are added to a dedicated WhatsApp group. Roof shutdowns or critical updates are also shared via the PixelSkiesAstro app.
09How do I know when the roof is open?
Our PixelSkiesAstro app provides roof status and sends notifications to your device so you can see open/close status at a glance.
10How will my software know when it’s safe to image?
We configure our Ascom Alpaca driver for both the safety monitor and observing conditions to inform your acquisition software when the conditions are safe to image. This supports full automation with NINA and Voyager, and we can provide starter scripts if needed.
11Do I have to supply a pier?
No—a pier is provided at no extra cost. We just request your equipment measurements so we can provide a suitable pier at installation time.
You will need to provide a suitable pier adaptor plate for your mount.
12Can I install my own equipment?
Yes. You're welcome to install on-site (we’ll have the pier ready), or we can complete the full installation for you if you prefer not to travel.
13Is there a minimum contract period?
Yes—there is a 12-month minimum term. After that, the contract continues on a rolling 30-day basis.
14Do I have control of the roof?
No, the roof is shared and managed by us on-site. You can focus on imaging while we handle safe roof operation.
15What internet connection is provided?
Our internet is provided via Starlink. Each pier has its own VLAN.
16What Acquisition software can I use?
You may choose the acquisition software of your preference.
17How will I be billed?
You will be invoiced on a monthly basis. Invoices are sent on the 26th of each month. You have 7 days to make payment. The hosting fee is paid in advance for the month ahead.
18What is included in my hosting fee?
The hosting fee includes electricity and internet. We regularly clean the observatories and your equipment (not the optics). We do not generally charge for simple unplugging and replugging of USBs, but there may be additional charges for any extra maintenance carried out.
Need more detail?
Read the full observatory rules and operating policies.