Astronomy & stargazing
Rooisand Desert Ranch
Welcome to our World
Nestled in the heart of Namibia’s Khomas Hochland, as the bird flies, a mere 12km away of the majestic Gamsberg Mountain, Rooisand Desert Ranch offers one of the most pristine night skies on Earth. Far from city lights and pollution, our ranch is a sanctuary for stargazers, astronomers, and astro photographers seeking the ultimate cosmic experience.
At Rooisand Desert Ranch, astronomy is more than a hobby—it’s a way of life. We invite you to experience the cosmos like never before, in one of the most breathtaking stargazing destinations on the planet.
- Exceptional Dark Skies: With minimal light pollution and crystal-clear desert air, our skies regularly reach Bortle Class 1–2 darkness, making them ideal for deep-sky observation.
- Stable Climate: Namibia’s dry climate ensures consistent visibility, with countless nights of uninterrupted stargazing each year.
- Unique Location: Surrounded by vast desert plains and dramatic mountains, the horizon is unobstructed, offering panoramic views of the Milky Way.
Astro Equipment & Facilities
We’ve invested in world-class infrastructure to welcome astronomers of all levels:
- High-End Telescopes: From large-aperture Dobsonians to precision refractors, our equipment caters to both visual observers and astrophotographers.
- Astro-Photography Gear: Equatorial mounts, tracking systems, and dedicated imaging setups are available for capturing galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.
- Dedicated Astro Platforms: Stable, vibration-free observation pads with power supply, internet access and wind shelters for remote imaging.
- Connectivity & Support: Fast internet for data transfer, plus technical support for setup and troubleshooting.
Comfort Meets Cosmos
We know that astronomy isn’t just about the stars—it’s about the experience. That’s why we’ve tailored our ranch to meet the needs of visiting astronomers:
- Astronomy-Friendly Accommodation: Rooms with blackout curtains, flexible meal times, and quiet zones for daytime rest.
- All lights and light bulbs on our premises are low-light, and switched off at nightfall, essential indoor lights are fitted with lampshades directing illumination downwards.
- Special Deals for long-term stays . . . “staggered rates for stays of 3, 5 & 10 nights”
- Community Spaces: A lounge and library where guests can share images, discuss discoveries, and connect with fellow enthusiasts.
- Guided Experiences: For beginners, we offer stargazing tours and mini-workshops to help you navigate the night sky. (Stargazing Tour . . . More Info > )
Whether you’re a seasoned researcher conducting deep-sky surveys, a passionate astro‑photographer chasing the perfect Milky Way shot, or a curious traveller experiencing the stars for the first time, Rooisand Desert Ranch is your gateway to the universe.
Reserve your astro‑experience at Rooisand Desert Ranch.
Observatory Information
Inventory list – Rooisand Observatory 12/2017
General: focus position of the CDK 17, focusing fully retracted = 117 mm behind the 2 “mount WITHOUT M68 extension
Looped cables at the GTO 1600
- Power Suppley CDK 17
- USB to USB (SBIG)
- Mini USB to USB (EOS), marked in white color)
- SBIG Guidingkabel RJ11
Assembly: F. Hofmann and W. Paech from 07th to 12th August 2013
Oculars
- Complete set of Baader Hyperion 2“ / 1-1/4“oculars
- Additional 2” Hyperion asphärisch with f = 31- and 36mm
- Complete set of Baader 1-1/4“ Q-Turett + Okularrevolver and Barlowlens
- 1-1/4” crosshair Baader MicroGuide
Prisms
- 2 pieces 2“ ClickLock Prism
- 2 pieces 1-1/4“ Prismen
Mechanic
- 2“ extension
- Reducer from 2“ to 1-1/4“
- EOS T2 Widefieldadapter, inkl. UV/IR Sperrfilter
- M68 Adapterset for CDK 17
- T2 – CMount Adapter incl. UV IR cutfilter
- StrongHold Tangentialverstellung (mounted at the Zeiss APQ)
- 1-1/4“ fokussierende Aufnahme for ST-i Guidingkamera
Additionally available (not included in the normal dome rent)
- Vixen 125mm binocular with Baader tripod
Vixen DX mount (Paech privat, incl.)
- Guiding scope + crosshair ocular (Lichtenknecker 85/540mm refractor)
- 2 x V44 Schiene mit stabilen Kugelkopf
Filter
- 2” and 1-1/4” neutral density filters (ND 1,8 und ND 0,9) for moon observations
- 2“ Baader 35nm H-alpha Filter
- 2“ Baader UV IR Cut
Barlowlenses
- 2“ AP Barlowlinse
- 1-1/4“ Q-Turett, divisible (x 2.25 und x 1.6)
Kollimation
- Kollimation set for the CDK 17
- Polarfinder for the GTO 1600
Accessories especially for TEC 110 FL
- Fieldflattener and Canon EOS/SBIG ST 10/2000 Adapter
Accessories especially for the PlaneWave
- Televue Reducer 0.8x with 2” plug-in connection (at the moment only usable with Canon EOS DSLR cameras)
Guiding
-
- SBIG ST-i Guiding camera
The Rooisand 3.2m Dome
TCDK 17“ Planewave, Focus positions for photography and eyepieces :
Baader Hyperion (aspheric) 31- und 36mm oculars – without any M68 extension with 2“
prism.
Baader Hyperion oculars – with 10mm M68 extension and 2“ prism
Canon EOS Kameras – without M68 extension, but with a 2“ extension
TEC and Zeiss APQ
Canon EOS cameras with a 2“ extension
Vixen mount for wide angle photography
DX mount: There are two markings between pole block / adapter and steel flange / column (circles in the picture) match, the mount is well adjusted (please do NOT adjust the pole height)
Figure left: Motor couplings – if the knurled screws are tightened, the drive motors are firmly coupled to the worm drives (no manual adjustment possible). Once they have been released, the axes can also be adjusted manually via the handles.
Traveller Review Award
Booking.com
2020
Traveller Review Award
Booking.com
2020
Traveller Review Award
Booking.com
2020
Traveller Review Award
Booking.com
2020
Traveller Review Award
Booking.com
2020
