Welcome to Squirrel Valley Observatory

Squirrel Valley Observatory is a privately owned observatory located in the foothills of western North Carolina. The observatory currently operates in an imaging configuration used for astrophotography, asteroid astrometry, supernovae detection and exoplanet research.

Phase 1 construction of a roll off roof facility was completed in 2015.
In September of 2016 the IAU Minor Planet Center assigned the observatory code, W34, to Squirrel Valley Observatory for it’s endeavors in the tracking and detection of minor planets, including hazardous asteroids and other Near Earth Objects. In 2019 we were awarded the Planetary Society’s 2019 Shoemaker NEO Grant for our work in near earth asteroid studies. Later in 2021 we were admitted to the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) as a signatory member. Phase 2 construction of a new domed observatory began in August of 2024 and was completed in December of 2025. Initial calibration and testing commenced in January 2026. Once the domed observatory is 100% operational, the roll off roof observatory will be retrofitted with a secondary telescope currently in storage.