About Us – Deep Sky Chile

About Deep Sky Chile

Deep Sky Chile

Most of the time, a great project starts with a simple idea. Ours consists in hosting our clients’ astronomical equipment under the best sky in the world and allow them to remote control it. If we chose to build our robotic observatories in the area of Rio Hurtado it’s because we have traveled all over Chile to find the best site to host your telescope. We tested the skies of Atacama and the Elqui Valley, both enjoying a good reputation among astronomers. However, we have noticed that these places have become very touristy and that the authorities are not taking any special measures to limit increasing light pollution.

Rio Hurtado valley remained protected. Far away from the big cities, but easily accessible, it offers the darkest skies and the best conditions we have found in Chile. If you still doubt, remember that we share the same sky as Cerro Tololo, Gemini South and the brand new Vera C. Rubin (LSST) observatories…

About Us: Deep Sky Chile chose to build robotic observatories in the area of Rio Hurtado

Franck Jobard

Franck is a mechanical engineer with a specialty in optics and microsystem. He began his career in a design office as an engineer in modeling and CAD in micromechanics. Then, for more than 13 years, he managed a company that counted up to fifty employees.

Astrophotographer since 2006, he built his automated observatory in 2009 and discovered his first planetary nebula (Jo1) in 2015.

Franck and his family moved to Chile in February 2019. They settled less than 45 minutes away from the observatories. Franck is our onsite engineer and your main contact in case of maintenance & installation needs.

Cédric Thomas

Cedric is a network and telecommunications engineer. After studying and working abroad for more than seven years, he returned to France in 2007 and founded his computer company; company he still manages to this day.

He took his first astro-photograph in 1995, at the age of 16, during the passage of comet Hale-Bopp. In 2008, he built his remote backyard observatory. The observatory now houses his setup, but also his friends. Thanks to the internet, they all control their equipment from a distance…

Vigney González Rojas

Vigney is Deep Sky Chile legal representative. He was born in Rio Hurtado Valley and decided, after several years spent in town, to return to settle there with his family… He has a perfect knowledge of the land and its inhabitants.

Entrepreneur for many years, Vigney is a professional who is fully involved in all projects in which he participates.

He lives near the observatories and is able to intervene very quickly on site in case of simple need.

Lucas Thibaud

Lucas is an on-site technician at Deep Sky Chile. He ensures the smooth operation of your telescope on a daily basis. Graduated in metallurgy and foundry, Lucas began his career as a manufacturing engineer in a foundry, accumulating four years of experience before turning to technical sales and international consulting in the same field. Passionate about astronomy, Lucas has always maintained a close connection to this discipline, actively participating in missions at observatories and contributing to the life of astronomy clubs. Since 2012, he has also been practicing astrophotography with passion.

Yovanka González

Yovanka is Deep Sky Chile’s logistics manager. She lives in Ovalle and she receives the small parcels from our customers.

Guillermo Plaza

Guillermo is Deep Sky Chile’s permanent guardian. He lives at the entrance to the site and ensures the physical security of the observatories.

Teaching astronomy in Pichasca

Every Wednesday, Franck teaches astronomy to Pichasca Middle School students, a small village in Rio Hurtado Valley, 45 minutes drive from the observatories. He alternates theoretical teaching and observation sessions in order to help the youngest discover the beauties of the southern sky…

Deep Sky Chile donated a camera-equipped telescope to the college in order to introduce children to astrophotography. This telescope is used during the weekly club outings in addition to the equipment already in its possession.

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