Marc Castel (Building a Robotic Observatory - Design Considerations) is a systems engineer who has been extensively involved in the development of medical instrumentation for the past 15 years. During that time, he has become known as an innovator and effective integrator of technologies from a wide field of disciplines. His passion for astronomy and the unruly observing climate of his rural Ontario home has led him to develop a remote access telescope.

Dexter 4000 is a fully robotic telescope and observatory. The system is based on the LX200, ST6, Astrohaven Clamshell Dome and the Davis Weather Station. Both digital and conventional 35mm imaging are available remotely. This site includes a number of innovative sensors, backup solar power, live video, mini-planetarium, and computer system allowing true fully remote startup, session, and shutdown. The observatory consists entirely of off-the-shelf items readily available to any amateur astronomer. Learn about its construction and operation and give it a try on Friday or Saturday night!