The first astronomical resource at Observatory Park at Turner Farm was the Remote Astronomical Telescope Observatory (RATO).  The cinder block tower was built in the 1960s by the United States Government as part of the Nike control site.  When acquired by the Fairfax County Park Authority it was adapted with remote computer control of a large telescope and rotating dome. Just north of the main observatory tower is the radio telescope structure built during the 1960s. Earlier versions of both structures were part of the Nike Missile Control Site and later retrofitted by DMA to suit their mission.

The RATO tower is approximately 26 feet high, capped with a 16 foot diameter electrically driven Ash Dome. The building is separated from the telescope support, providing vibration free observing and has recently undergone rennovation. When operational, the plan is to re-install the Mead 16", f/4.5 reflecting telescope (Model DS-16) onto the central GTO equatorial mount made by Astrophysics, Inc.