How to Rent a Telescope Online
A complete step-by-step guide to booking a remote telescope session and receiving professional astrophotography data — no equipment needed.
What is remote telescope rental?
Remote telescope rental lets you use a professional telescope located at a world-class observatory — without leaving your home. You book a session online, choose your target, and our team captures the data for you overnight.
The raw images (in FITS format) are delivered to your dashboard within 24 hours. You then process them using free software like Siril or paid tools like PixInsight.
SkyShare Astro operates from El Sauce Observatory, Chile — a Bortle 1–2 site with some of the darkest skies on Earth. This means exceptional image quality that is impossible to replicate from most locations.
Step-by-Step: Renting a Telescope Online
Create your account
Sign up for free in under 2 minutes. No subscription required — you only pay when you book a session.
Choose your target
Browse our seasonal target list or enter your own object. Our team will advise on the best targets for current sky conditions.
Pick a date and package
Select a night with favorable conditions (we show moon phase and weather forecasts). Choose from nightly packages starting at $79, with a $69 student rate.
We capture your data
Our team operates the telescope from El Sauce Observatory, Chile (Bortle 1–2). All acquisition, guiding, and focusing is handled for you.
Download your FITS files
Within 24 hours you receive a download link for your raw 16-bit FITS files, calibration frames, and a processed JPEG preview.
Process and share
Import your data into Siril or PixInsight and start processing. Follow our guides or join the community for tips.
Why Bortle 1 Skies Matter
Captures in 1 hour what takes 20+ hours in a light-polluted area.
Sky background reaches 22.0 mag/arcsec² — virtually no light pollution.
Excellent atmospheric seeing at high-altitude Chilean desert sites.
Chile provides 300+ clear nights per year with consistent conditions.
Common Questions
Do I need any experience to rent a telescope?
No prior experience is needed. Our team handles all the technical aspects — telescope operation, alignment, guiding, and data acquisition. You just choose a target.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We monitor weather 48 hours in advance. If conditions are unsuitable, your session is automatically rescheduled at no extra cost. Your credit is never lost.
What data format will I receive?
All images are delivered as 16-bit FITS files — the industry standard for astrophotography. Calibration frames (darks, flats, bias) and a processed JPEG preview are also included.
Can I choose my own target?
Yes. You can enter any deep sky object (nebula, galaxy, star cluster, or planet) and our team will confirm if it's observable from our site on your chosen night.
Ready to capture the universe?
Sessions from $79/night. Student rate from $69. Weather guarantee included.
Book Your First Session