About Us

Astro Observatories Western Australia is a specialist remote astronomy hosting service founded and operated by Roger Groom.

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Founded and operated by

Roger Groom

AOWA was founded by Roger Groom in 2018 and has grown into a mature remote astronomy hosting service for commercial customers and individual astronomers from around the world. Roger remains the founder and primary operator, bringing together practical observatory experience, astrophotography knowledge, software engineering and hands-on technical support.

Astro Observatories Western Australia is an Australian company (ABN 62616934573 ACN 616934573). You can see more of Roger's astrophotography work at Astro Photography Australia and RogerGroom.com.

Experience in remote

Observatories

The AOWA service is built on decades of practical experience with telescopes, automation and remote observatory operation. Roger built his first observatory in 2001 after starting astronomy in 1998, later automating observation programs for supernova searching, comet observations and minor planet work. That background now informs AOWA's approach to dependable hosted astronomy.

Independent, fully owned

Dark Sky Facility

In 2018 AOWA purchased a hand picked Central Wheatbelt property for its own remote astronomy facilities. Approximately 150km from Perth, the site combines dark skies, wide horizons, serviceability and connectivity. Since then the facility has continued to develop around the needs of hosted customers, from compact smart telescopes through to larger remote installations and private observatory structures.

The property is fully owned by AOWA and is not dependent on a club, committee, leaseholder or not-for-profit body for its continued operation. This gives customers confidence in long-term continuity, clear decision making and the ability for AOWA to efficiently improve, innovate and operate the site in the interests of hosted astronomy customers.

Professional, flexible

Customer Support

AOWA works closely with customers to understand the requirements of each installation, including equipment access, power, data, maintenance, privacy, security and operational expectations. Long-term relationships are central to the service: customers need confidence that their equipment is being hosted by people who understand remote astronomy and can respond practically when requirements change.