OBSERVATORY BUILDERS, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION 

Sea West Observatories

A Team You Can Trust

As a turn-key contracting company specializing in observatory builds and design, we offer a full range of services that are extremely valuable for amateur and professional astronomers alike. We build observatories that are tailored to meet the unique needs of each customer, whether they need a portable, small-scale dome or a larger, permanent structure. 

In addition to providing construction services, we offer ongoing maintenance packages to ensure that the observatory and telescope remain in top working condition. Our team of experts is available to offer advice and knowledge on diagnosing issues that may arise, helping telescope owners troubleshoot problems and improve their observing experience. We work with a reputable and diverse network of partners and vendors who share our commitment to excellence and innovation.

With a ground-up construction company like Sea West Observatories, customers can have peace of mind knowing that all of their observatory design and construction needs are taken care of, from initial concept to ongoing maintenance and support.

York University Observatory CREDIT: York University

our clients

With a rich legacy spanning decades, our observatory clients represent a diverse spectrum including astronomical research teams, educational institutions, private individuals, and satellite tracking and data transmission organizations.

Our History

Sea West Observatories, a subsidiary of Sea West Enterprises, Inc., offers observatory solutions for premier clients across the globe. As a family-owned business since 1977, we bring a sense of tradition and continuity to all that we do, offering a truly personal investment in the success of your observatory.

1965
1965

Jack Simison surveys and develops the Allcom broadcast facility atop Mt. Wilson, California, marking our entry into remote mountain top installations.

1977
1977

Eric Simison and his wife and Jennifer form Sea West Enterprises, Inc. A contracting company focused on commercial buildings and design-build development.

1980-1989
1980-1989

Sea West performs numerous engineering and tilt-up construction projects throughout Southern California

1996
1996

Allcom broadcast facility is acquired by American Towers Corporation and Sea West Enterprises begins constructing mountaintop broadcast facility across the southwestern United States and Hawaii.

1997
1997

Sea West invited to construct a road system for the newly proposed CHARA Array at the Mt. Wilson Observatory. This pivotal relationship was Sea West’s entry into observatory construction.

1997-2000
CHARA Array
1997-2000

Sea West selected by Georgia State University to be the primary contractor for turn-key construction of their groundbreaking CHARA Array. During this time, Eric Simison designs and patents a robotic observatory enclosure for CHARA.

2000-2002
Faulkes Telescope
2000-2002

Sea West performs preliminary site inspection, site construction, and observatory enclosure installation for the 2-meter Faulkes Telescope atop Haleakala in Hawaii. Sea West performs initial site assessment and observatory feasibility study for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory in New Mexico.

2003-2005
2003-2005

Sea West provides site evaluations for the Outrigger Telescopes Project by JPL after visiting renowned observatories at Palomar, Kitt Peak, Mt. Graham, Mt. Hopkins, La Palma Canary Islands, and Anderson Mesa.

2009-2011
California State San Bernadino
2009-2011

Sea West is awarded the construction contract for the Murillo Family Observatory at California State University – San Bernardino.

2012-2018
2012-2018

Sea West is awarded design-build contracts for multiple space domain awareness, satellite laser ranging, and free space optical communication groundstations.

2013-2015
Thatcher Observatory
2013-2015

Sea West is awarded multiple observatory retrofit and dome installation contracts from Mount Sac Observatory, Cal State Northridge Observatory, Garvey Ranch Observatory, Thatcher Observatory, and Saddleback College Observatory.

2016
Great Basin Observatory
2016

Sea West is awarded a design-build contract to deliver the first fully autonomous remotely-operated observatory within a National Park at the Great Basin Observatory.

2017
College of the Desert Observatory
2017

Sea West is awarded a design-build contract for delivering an autonomous, remotely-operated observatory at College of the Desert.

2018
Rancho Mirage Observatory
2018

Sea West is awarded the construction contract for the Rancho Mirage Observatory. Connected to the Rancho Mirage Public Library, this observatory is a prime example of a municipality promoting outreach and education through a publicly accessible science center.

2021
York University Observatory Toronto
2021

Sea West is awarded observatory automation retrofit and dome installation contract for the Allan I. Carswell Observatory at York University in Toronto.

2021
2021

Sea West is awarded contract from Glendale Community College for observatory installation and site work. Sea West is also awarded dome, telescope, and observatory upgrade contract from Santa Monica College.

2022
Bruneau Dunes State Park
2022

Sea West is awarded design-build contract for Bruneau Dunes State Park Observatory in Idaho, observatory retrofit for the Anderson Observatory at Virginia Tech, and observatory construction and consulting contract for the Jackson College Space Observatory located in Michigan.

2023
2023

Sea West is awarded multiple observatory construction and consulting contracts for private astronomy clients. Sea West is also awarded construction contract from Skies the Limit Observatory outside Joshua Tree National Park.

Present
Present

Sea West awarded consulting contracts to provide groundstation concepts and observatory site master plans and feasibility studies.

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