The stars have always been an endless supply of fascination for us. What lies beyond the realm of human exploration? Can we expand that realm? Are stars really great big balls of gas burning billions of miles away? Perhaps it can’t answer all of these questions, but a resort, soon to be constructed in Switzerland, will allow everyday folks to rent high-powered telescopes and do their own exploring of the heavens.

Opening in 2009, a Swiss Astro-Retreat known as AAV Lue-Stailas, will offer 6 studios to rent by the night, each equipped with its own dome, telescope, and photographic gear. Want to take personal photos of a nearby nebula for your dorm room wall or office cubicle? Go for it. Imagine how your geek-cred will soar when someone compliments your poster of galaxy merger and you respond, “Yeah, I took that photo myself actually.”

According to their website, the Alpine Astrovillage Lue-Stailas will be less about relaxation, and more about the tireless enthusiasm that space photography generates. It offers a sort of businesslike attitude, including computer stations, complete with photoprocessing, and a seminar room to discuss findings.

Because such enthusiasm often does not allow for human interaction, the resort will offer meal packages that can be, ” easily reheated any time you need and independently from other visitors.”

This comes as an affordable alternative to the hundreds of thousands needed to embark upon an actual space journey. Instead, it will be nearer to fifteen hundred Euro; a small price to pay to see the stars.