Family-run remote observatory launched in Utah

A fine art photographer with a deep appreciation for both landscape and astrophotography has launched a family-operated remote observatory business in Southern Utah, marking a significant transition from traditional photography to capturing the wonders of the night sky.

Craig Stocks, known for his fine art photography, which has been featured in local galleries and honored with multiple NASA “Picture of the Day” recognitions, recently embarked on this new venture. Stocks’s passion for photography began during his high school years when he worked as a yearbook photographer. This early interest led to a position as a photographer for a local newspaper, where he honed his skills and discovered a lifelong passion for the craft.

Family-run remote observatory launched in Utah

Over the years, Stocks’s career evolved. After working in various photography roles, including a stint at a portrait studio, he decided to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering, leading to a 30-year career in that field. Upon his retirement in 2008, Stocks returned to photography, this time focusing on fine art, particularly astrophotography. His work gained recognition, and he began contributing to the “Playing Peoria” blog, which showcased local artists and entertainers in the Peoria, Illinois area.

With family connections in Southern Utah, Stocks and his wife decided to retire there, eventually followed by the rest of their family. Inspired by a conversation with an astronomy club member, Stocks decided to launch a remote observatory business. Leveraging his 15 years of astrophotography experience and a personal collection of telescopes, Stocks and his family began researching the intricacies of commercial remote observatories.

Photo credit: Craig Stocks - Utah Desert Remote Observatories 

Remote observatory in Utah offers telescope rentals and astrophotography classes

A commercial remote observatory is a facility where individuals can remotely operate telescopes to capture astrophotography. Stocks explains that customers can send their telescopes to the observatory or install them personally, with the observatory providing power, internet, and on-site support. “We manage the observatory and make sure all the systems are working correctly, and they control the telescope over the internet,” he said.

After an extensive search for the ideal location, the family established Utah Desert Remote Observatories north of Enterprise in 2022. The site was selected for its dark skies, on-site utilities, and high-speed internet—essential factors for successful astrophotography. Stocks’s wife handles the business’s bookkeeping, while their daughter and son-in-law live on-site as full-time caretakers. Other family members contribute during weekends and for larger projects.

The observatory consists of two buildings designed to open fully to the sky, accommodating a variety of telescopes. The larger building, measuring 25×60 feet, can house up to 40 telescopes and features a roof that opens to reveal the night sky. The first building reached full capacity shortly after its completion, prompting the construction of the second building.

Stocks noted the rapid growth of the venture, saying, “It’s grown way faster than we anticipated. We finished the first building in November 2021, had our first telescope and customer in 2022, and just three months later, we realized we needed to build a second one.”

The observatory also offers telescopes for rent, allowing individuals from around the world to book time with one of Stocks’s telescopes to observe celestial targets. Additionally, Utah Desert Remote Observatories provides astrophotography post-processing masterclasses, with an upcoming session scheduled for September 2024.

This new venture reflects Stocks’s enduring passion for both photography and astronomy, as he continues to explore the cosmos and share his knowledge and resources with others. The observatory not only serves as a business but also as a hub for astronomy education and community engagement.

“I have been mostly showing astrophotography as I’ve tried to normalize the idea that an astrophoto can also be appreciated as a fine art photo - just like a mountain or a tree or a flower," said Craig Stocks.

“Every day you go into work in the morning and have no idea what you’re going to be doing,” he said. “That was the best part of the job,” said Craig Stocks.

“People will send you their telescope, or they come to install it themselves,” Stocks said. “We provide power, internet and on-site service and support,” said Craig Stocks.

"We finished the first building in November 2021, had our first telescope and customer in 2022 and just three months later, we realized we needed to build a second one," said Craig Stocks.