L63 - H.O.B. ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY

Welcome to HOB Observatory, a private facility in Tuscany, Italy, where a passion for the night sky meets scientific research. We specialize in photometric and astrometric studies of asteroids and variable stars, in collaboration with the global astronomical community.

HOB is an acronym for "Hole of the Badger," a name deeply connected to our location. The observatory is situated on a terrace of our apartment, located on a street named 'Buca dei Tassi,' which translates directly from Italian to 'Badger's Hole.' The name extends to the surrounding area; just a ten-minute walk away, through a beech forest hidden in the dense undergrowth, you can find the 'Fonte dei Tassi' (the Badger's Spring), a small source of fresh water that has long been a local landmark.

This isn't just a historical curiosity—the name is literal because the badgers are very much real! We encounter them mostly at night, when you can hear them rustling and rummaging just a short distance from our home. Occasionally, one will emerge from the bushes for a moment before diving back into the safety and protection of the darkness. Just like us, they are creatures of the night, exploring under the same dark skies.