Visiting the observatory of Mario Motta near the Atlantic coast at Gloucester, Massachusetts, a home built (and home located!) 32-inch (80cm) telescope with research level accuracy which is being used to measure variable stars and detecting transiting extrasolar planets. On the right is my good friend Robert Naeye, the editor in chief of Sky&Telescope. Dr. Mario Motta (middle) is a physician but also a veteran amateur astronomer, who has an active role in the fight against light pollution. Date: Oct. 2012