The ASV is bustling with observing activity. Each new moon seems to bring more property owners out to enjoy the dark skies. Rick Singmaster has delivered a spanking new 30-inch Starmaster computer-controlled f4.3 newtonian telescope, and what a beauty it is!

If you thought I sounded impressed before while using the 24” temporary-loan telescope, all I can say is “WOW”!! Every time these exquisite new optics are pointed at the night skies, the air is filled with excited exclamations. You simply have to come to the ASV and see for yourself!

Following a four-night observing run in the ASV, well-known Canadian astronomy author and astro-imager Terence Dickinson stated that “this is the darkest accessible observing site in North America”. On viewing M33 through the 30-inch he commented that the spiral arms were “so bright it looked more like the Whirlpool Galaxy. I have never seen it as well, ever before”.

I have been able to rely on the great skies in the ASV to provide me with great conditions for testing the Canon Digital Rebel for deepsky photography and have included many of the new images taken with this single-reflex camera on this website. I have also been credited with two more supernova discoveries– 2004DW and 2004 EV.

The ASV is well on it’s way to becoming the foremost center for amateur astronomy in the World!