Check out our new, advantageous prices and course offers for want-to-be and amateur astronomers!
AAV Lue-Stailas is a unique new center for amateur astrophotography in Europe, located in the eastern Alps of Switzerland. Built on a sunny terrace at 1935 m (6300 ft), it faces south into the impressive rural landscapes of the valley of Muestair. This area is soon to become part of a new UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In this pristine environment, AAV Lue-Stailas enables its guests to do astro-imaging under dark skies with high-end equipment.
The Val Mustair excels with an average of 250 sunny days and an estimated 130 clear nights per year. Well protected by the surrounding mountain chains from light pollution, storms, and precipitations, the region has its own mild microclimate that is continental and relatively dry. The high altitude allows to the astrophotographers to stay with clear skies above most stratus cloud limits.
Thanks to its exceptional location, AAV Lue-Stailas also offers an unforgettable stay in the Swiss Alps with gorgeous sceneries and landscapes, with endless opportunities for walks, hiking, and skiing, and many architectural, historic, and culinary treasures to sample from.
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Get to know the fantastic night skies above Lue!
Public stargazing with talk and film
every clear night after dark (4-15 persons).
Food and drinks optional.
Dinner must be ordered ahead.
For up-to-date inquiries and reservations, please call 081-850-3606.
Imaging at AAV Lue-Stailas
1) The northern skies Currently, we are adjusting the remote operation of our three already installed imaging telescopes and are refining their pointing accuracy. Two of them are for deep sky photography and one is a wide field imaging astrograph.
For our visitors we offer modern and comfortable accommodation (three one-room and two two-room apartments) and facilities where they can process obtained data, discuss observations, or attend meetings covering various topics, courses, and seminars. Guests can also get in shape in our professionally equipped fitness room.
2) The southern skies In 2009, a robotic telescope placed for one year at the Southern Galactic Telescope Hosting Australia (SGTHA) in the Macedon Ranges was brought back to Lue allowing us to fully focus on the local imaging setups. A reinstallation of a telescope in the southern hemisphere is planned for 2010/11. It should allow our guests to image the fabulous southern skies even during daytime and to exchange knowledge and ideas with fellow-imagers "down-under".
