Malta Amateur Observatory

Malta Observatory is located in the Town of Malta, New York, just north of the town center. This little town was once a great place for astrophotography, but now has a growing light pollution problem just like many other small towns.  Most of the lighting fixtures throughout the town do not direct their lighting toward the ground where it is needed for security and pedestrian traffic, but instead, lose most of it into the sky. A simple reflector on top of the fixtures would direct much of the lost light down where its needed, thus reducing the number of required fixtures, and in turn, reducing the cost of electricity to power them.. Most towns do not understand that  we are not trying to get them to replace all their light fixtures. Just  to replace faulty existing fixtures with more efficient units. And to use these units for newly installed lighting! The price difference is almost insignificant, and saves on the cost of electricity.]
The State of New York has introduced a lighting bill to provide guidelines for new and existing lighting, to eliminate the light pollution problem, however it  has not  been passed by the Governor the last few years.  However, as time goes on, this bill will draw more and more support, and eventually will will be put into place. Many States and Towns have already passed laws and ordinances concerning this problem.  Do you still think its not a problem??
Then follow this link to the Dark sky Association
And the Light PollutionAwareness Center
Follow this link to see what the lighting fixtures look like. Good Lighting Fixtures.
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Now  on to the reason you are here!!
Most of the Astrophotography images displayed on this site, were taken with the Celestron Ultima 2000 Telescope using the Fastar lens adapter.   Cameras include the Starlight Xpress MX716 and MX516 CCD Cameras, along with Canon Digital Rebel EOS300, and S400  Cameras.

Other equipment includes the Intes MK-67 6� telescope, and a long exposure web camera.

The images on the following pages are thumbnail representations of the full size images.  Merely clicking your mouse on the thumbnail, will bring up the full size image.

Please select one of the items to the left, to take you to the images.