​​My name is Robin Manford, and I am an amateur astrophotographer based in Devon, UK.



Having graduated in Astrophysics from Leeds University in 1996, and then in Photography from Plymouth College of Art & Design in 2004, I was keen to find a way to bring these qualifications and interests together.  As soon as funds permitted, I began building an observatory in my back garden; a damp valley, 2.5 miles from the centre of Plymouth.



While not an ideal location for imaging the cosmos, I endeavour to run the observatory whenever the weather permits.  By using narrowband filters (see EQUIPMENT) I am able to photograph deep sky objects in spite of the local light pollution.



I hope you enjoy the images.  If you have any comments or criticisms about them, or the site, please email me:



info@valleyobservatory.com​​​​​



I also welcome visitors to the observatory