The Astrocast: Astronomy & Astrophotography

Episode 109 - Collimation Participation

EPISODE 109 - Collimation Participation! Welcome baaaack to The Astrocast! Roo's been deep in the world of Schmidt-Cassegrains. This week he walks through exactly how he finally got his Celestron C8 collimated...mostly. Using a combination of SharpCap, a bright star, the "donut method", and a cardboard-and-painter's-tape mask.. plus one mystery that's still left to solve. He also covers his growing non-ZWO C8 build (Player One guiding, a Gemini EAF, SVBony power), how a 30ft active USB 3.0 cable let him run the backyard pier straight from his studio PC, a new TeleGizmos 365 cover, and why iOptron's truss-tube RCs belong on the "retirement scope" list. Plus an Astro Peak update and winter targets on deck...hello, Pleiades! Become a member of The Astrocast Society today! 🔭 GEAR & LINKS MENTIONED Collimation & Software • SharpCap (free): https://www.sharpcap.co.uk • N.I.N.A.: https://nighttime-imaging.eu • RustDesk: https://rustdesk.com • Chrome Remote Desktop: https://remotedesktop.google.com The C8 and other products mentioned: • Celestron EdgeHD 8: https://bit.ly/4jkzGzX • Gemini EAF autofocuser (review): https://scopetrader.com/zwo-eaf-knockoff-gemini-eaf/ • SVBony SV241 power box: https://link.amazon/B0d49bD9u • SVBony SV241 Pro (NINA-controllable — runs Roo's Astro Peak rig): https://link.amazon/B06o9NWP3 • 30ft active USB 3.0 Type-A to Type-B cable (w/ 12V barrel jack): https://link.amazon/B0gPwgts5 • Waterproof outdoor power box: https://link.amazon/B096Pgf58 • TeleGizmos 365 Series Cover (up to 14" SCT): https://bit.ly/4eux0MN • Sky-Watcher SynLink controller: https://bit.ly/4yWse2X • StellarMate OS: https://stellarmate.com • iOptron Photron RC10 Truss: https://bit.ly/4zZ0tXs • iOptron Photron RC14 Truss: https://bit.ly/48m8J8d • iOptron Photron RC12 Truss: https://bit.ly/3UuwdF0 • iOptron Photron RC16 Truss: https://bit.ly/4yU7ZCj • Askar SQA55 (Roo's remote scope): https://bit.ly/4s4pAWg The 14/16 are true "retirement scopes", in my opinion. Here's hoping! Please note: any purchases made from links here will result in a small cut of the profit going to The Astrocast, thank you for your support! Remote Imaging? • Astro Peak Observatories (Bortle 1, southern Utah): https://astropeak.space Join our Patreon to get a discount on your pier at AP! https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheAstrocast ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:46 Welcome Back 01:50 From Refractors to an SCT 02:18 Five Months at Astro Peak 03:54 Learning to Collimate the C8 04:20 SharpCap: The Right Tool for Collimation 06:28 Connecting Gear & Finding a Bright Star 08:59 Making the "Donut" — Defocusing Explained 10:29 The Cardboard Mask Trick 13:48 Adjusting the Collimation Screws 15:28 The Flattened Donut Mystery 16:15 Building a Non-ZWO C8 Rig 18:51 SVBony SV241 & Ditching the Laptop 20:39 Running a 30ft Active USB Cable to the Pier 23:54 Controlling the Rig from an iPad 25:21 Future Plans: Mini PC, StellarMate & SynLink 26:59 A Waterproof Power Box 28:54 The TeleGizmos 365 Cover 31:28 RC Telescopes & the "Retirement Scope" 33:34 Wrap-Up: Orion Season & the Pleiades 35:49 Outro 💬 Know great C8/Gemini autofocus settings (step size, backlash)? Email Roo: roo@theastrocast.com 🌌 SUPPORT THE SHOW Join the Patreon for members-only Discord access and a discount at Astro Peak: https://www.patreon.com/theastrocast 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts Shout-outs: Nathan, Mike, Craig, Natalie & the Astro Peak crew • Ben for the SharpCap tip • John & the Discord fam! Clear skies! ✨ #astrophotography #telescope #collimation #SCT #Celestron #PlayerOne #NINA #SharpCap #astronomy Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

• Transcript

Episode 108 - He found a Green Star!

If you'd like to watch the video version of this interview, check it out here. EPISODE 108: GREEN STARS & SUPERNOVA SURVIVORS WITH DR. MARK HOLLANDS What color would a white dwarf look if you could see it up close? That simple question led Dr. Mark Hollands to some surprising answers, including a star that would appear pale green. This week, Roo welcomes Mark, a Warwick Prize Fellow and astrophysicist at the University of Warwick, for a conversation about the dense stellar remnants that most stars will eventually become. We explore why these stars can have unusual colors, how their spectra reveal their chemistry, and what those findings mean for the way astrophotographers think about star color. Mark takes us through the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, Gaia's transformation of white-dwarf research, and the care needed when translating astronomical measurements into RGB colors. We also discuss the realities of working at professional observatories - from liquid-nitrogen-cooled cameras to telescope breakdowns and whether backyard imagers can photograph the stars in his study. Then we turn to an extraordinary class of survivors: white dwarfs flung through space when their companions explode. Their chemistry offers clues to supernovae and the origins of elements around us. Mark also introduces his favorite stellar oddball, GD 492, known as LP 40-365. There's room for the person behind the research, too: mushroom foraging, birding, sim racing, following your curiosity, and a Pink Floyd reference hiding in a scientific paper. Also in this episode: an update on The Astrocast's new Move Shoot Move partnership! IN THIS EPISODE - How white dwarfs form and why they fascinate Mark. - Pale-green, yellow, and pink stars...and why green is especially unusual. - Spectroscopy as a chemical barcode for starlight. - Gaia, PixInsight, and the limits of mapping measurements to visible color. - Carbon molecules, dense atmospheres, and salmon-pink starlight. - Professional observing, remote telescopes, and future surveys. - Type Ia supernovae, runaway D6 survivors, and stellar chemistry. - Practical advice for students interested in astrophysics. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to The Astrocast 01:24 Meet Dr. Mark Hollands: what is a white dwarf? 02:17 Mark's path into astronomy 05:09 The fate awaiting most stars 06:54 What colors are white dwarfs? 08:36 A star that would look pale green 09:32 How rare are unusual stellar colors? 11:50 Spectroscopy and a star's chemical barcode 16:07 Mining the Sloan Digital Sky Survey 18:35 How Gaia transformed white-dwarf research 21:26 Gaia, PixInsight, and star-color calibration 23:19 Red stars, carbon, and a salmon-pink white dwarf 28:16 Mushroom foraging, birding, and curiosity 31:56 Advice for aspiring astrophysicists 34:00 Life at a professional observatory 39:54 Book recommendation & Move Shoot Move update 40:47 Pink Floyd and Any Colour You Like 41:43 Can amateurs photograph these stars? 43:54 The next generation of spectroscopic surveys 45:57 D6 survivors: white dwarfs launched by supernovae 51:38 Supernova chemistry and the iron around us 54:21 Mark's favorite object: GD 492 / LP 40-365 56:39 Mushrooms, sim racing, and hobbies 57:59 A dream observation with the Extremely Large Telescope 59:37 Roo's closing thoughts 1:00:06 The Astrocast outro song GUEST & RESOURCES Dr. Mark Hollands: https://mahollands.github.io/ Paper discussed: Any Colour You Like https://academic.oup.com/rasti/article/doi/10.1093/rasti/rzag069/8914458?searchresult=1 Book mentioned: The Last Stargazers by Emily Levesque https://link.amazon/B0eV2rQKv JOIN THE ASTROCAST SOCIETY Support the show on Patreon and join our private astronomy and astrophotography Discord community: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheAstrocast SHOP THROUGH OUR AFFILIATE LINKS Your purchases through these links help support The Astrocast at no additional cost to you. Agena Astro: https://agenaastro.com/?rfsn=8632339.cb455f High Point Scientific: https://www.highpointscientific.com/?rfsn=8141859.a5f5d85 Amazon: https://amzn.to/4n0OMsz First Light Optics: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/index/ref/astrocast/ 365 Astronomy: https://www.365astronomy.com/&af=astrocast Move Shoot Move: https://www.moveshootmove.com/?aff=784 Disclosure: The Astrocast earns a small commission from qualifying purchases through these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you enjoyed the episode, follow The Astrocast, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who loves astronomy. Clear skies! <3 Roo Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

Episode 107 - Let's talk Astro

WELCOME BAAAACK to The Astrocast! This week, Roo catches up on remote imaging adventures, new gear, and getting back under the backyard skies. A late-night rotator alert at AstroPeak turns into a reminder of why reliable on-site support matters when your telescope is hundreds of miles away. With the rig back in action, Roo sets his sights on the challenging Garlic Bulb Nebula and plans an experiment comparing unfiltered imaging with dual-band filters and ten-minute exposures to capture its faint OIII signal. Back home, the Celestron C8 gets some attention with a Player One Xena 585M guide camera and FHD-OAG MAX. Roo shares his first impressions, considers Sky-Watcher’s SynLink controller as an alternative to ASIAIR or a mini PC, and talks about the MLAstro SAL-33 mount, learning SCT collimation, and the simple joy of neighbors turning their lights off. CHAPTERS 00:00 Opening & Astrocast intro 00:49 Welcome back & a Savannah getaway 02:17 A late-night telescope scare at AstroPeak 03:11 Why on-site support matters for remote imaging 03:59 The rotator collision & getting the rig running again 06:26 Chasing the Garlic Bulb Nebula 07:34 Ten-minute exposures & the faint OIII experiment 08:49 Dark Shark results & throwing out cloudy-night data 10:05 EUROCAST thanks & community updates 10:51 The Astrocast Society, Discord & AstroPeak member discount 11:59 Building out the Celestron C8 beyond the ZWO ecosystem 13:51 Player One Xena 585M & FHD-OAG MAX first impressions 16:14 Bigger prisms, guide stars & a smooth helical focuser 18:50 Sky-Watcher SynLink: a new imaging controller option 21:26 SynLink vs. a mini PC running N.I.N.A. 23:43 Remote imaging features & controller considerations 24:25 C8 progress & the MLAstro SAL-33 mount 25:14 Learning SCT collimation 26:18 A future backyard setup & TeleGizmos 365 cover 26:44 Good neighbors, fewer lights & backyard astronomy 28:20 Upcoming projects, listener thanks & closing thoughts 30:03 Astrocast outro song JOIN THE ASTROCAST SOCIETY Want to talk astronomy, share your images, ask gear questions, and hang out with fellow astrophotographers? Join The Astrocast on Patreon for access to our private Discord community, and an exclusive discount at Astropeak Observatory, under Bortle 1 skies: https://patreon.com/theastrocast As discussed in this episode, Patreon members can also receive $5 per month off AstroPeak hosting, contact Roo for details. AstroPeak remote observatory hosting - remember, JOIN THE PATREON and save 5 bucks a month! https://astropeak.space/how-it-works SOFTWARE & RESOURCES N.I.N.A. — Nighttime Imaging ’N’ Astronomy: https://nighttime-imaging.eu/ Target Scheduler plugin for N.I.N.A.: https://tcpalmer.github.io/nina-scheduler/ Pushover notifications: https://pushover.net/ GEAR & EQUIPMENT LINKS Some links below are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting The Astrocast! Askar SQA55 Astrograph: https://bit.ly/4s4pAWg Celestron C8 — current optical tube listing: https://bit.ly/4dCBTTO ASIAIR: https://bit.ly/4ew1pdE MLAstro SAL-33 Mount: https://mlastro.com/product/mlastro-sal-33/ ZWO ASI585MC Pro: https://bit.ly/4B3rWIT Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi: https://bit.ly/4sazmq0 Celestron EdgeHD 8 Telescope: https://bit.ly/4jkzGzX TeleGizmos 365 Telescope Covers: https://bit.ly/4eux0MN Askar Color Magic Duo Filter Set: https://bit.ly/47hvSbC Sky-Watcher SynLink: https://bit.ly/4yWse2X GL.iNet Comet Remote KVM: https://amzn.to/4fF9GNp ZWO ASI2600MC Pro Cooled Astronomy Camera: https://bit.ly/4ymcjLD ZWO ASI120MM Mini Guide Camera: https://bit.ly/4vwbs8b ZWO AM3N Harmonic Drive Mount with Tripod: https://bit.ly/4ysuIX1 Mini PC: https://amzn.to/4gHGLcH ZWO EAF Electronic Automatic Focuser: https://bit.ly/4yIEf1X ZWO CAA Camera Angle Adjuster: https://bit.ly/4pnFoC6 ZWO 5 × 2-inch EFW Filter Wheel: https://bit.ly/4w9Kkxa SVBONY SV241 Pro Power Hub: https://amzn.to/4h1lsD9 APC BE600M1 UPS Battery Backup: https://amzn.to/4f8snci NETGEAR GS305E Network Switch: https://amzn.to/44v2uNE TP-Link Tapo P316M Smart Power Strip: https://amzn.to/4ymeJdb Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

Episode 106 - Link in notes!

Episode 106 is here! Please join us on the Youtube Channel this week for Part 2 of the Mono Procesing in Pixinsight Series, where Roo sits down w/Justin and Parish to learn how to work with Narrowband Data in Pixinsight! Whether you are a Seestar owner, a Planewave guy, or just a "refractor with OSC" kinda person like me, there is a LOT to learn in this series, and i can PROMSIE you, it WILL improve your techniques! A VERY special thanks to Justin and Parish for all their help in making this series happen. Justin will be launching his own YouTube content in the near future, so make sure you subscribe to his channel in advance and turn on notifcations, that way you'll know right away when new content comes out! And if you haven't done so already, PLEASE subscribe to The Astrocast YouTube channel! Thanks so much for your support, we'll be back in a couple weeks with a brand new episode! Clear Skies! Roo Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

Episode 105 - Seuls Ensemble (Alone, Together)

JOIN THE FAMILY: The Astrocast | Weekly Astronomy/Astrophotography Podcast | Patreon WELCOME BAAAACK to The EUROCAST! In this weeks episode, guest host Mark Lindley takes The Astrocast to Europe for a trip through Switzerland, the French Alps, and the Vosges Mountains, where online friendships finally become face-to-face conversations. Between missed train stops, passport trouble, cloudy skies, and a shared meal, Mark catches up with Dr. Klaus Schweitzer and Tim from Belgium. There’s plenty of astrophotography talk along the way: traveling with camera lenses, remote observatories, processing software, simple star trackers, and knowing when to upgrade your gear. But the moment that makes the trip comes under the stars, when Tim sees the Milky Way for the first time. Mark closes his journey with a personal reflection on loneliness, friendship, and finding your people, followed by his original poem, “Alone Together.” Come for the stars. Stay for the company. Featured guests: Mark Lindley, Dr. Klaus Schweitzer, Tim, and Roo. Field-recording note: Parts of the car conversation have rough audio. To skip ahead to the cottage conversation, jump from 36:05 to 1:16:40. Chapters 00:00:00 A first glimpse of the Milky Way — cold open 00:00:48 Mark takes the mic: welcome to the Eurocast 00:04:20 The friends, the route, and the plan 00:09:14 Arriving in Geneva 00:12:21 Chamonix and the French Alps 00:16:48 Alpine hiking, wildlife, and changing glaciers 00:20:42 Sponsor: Dark Dragons Astronomy 00:22:29 The Mont Blanc Express and a break in the clouds 00:26:26 Lausanne, passport trouble, and travel lessons 00:34:53 A missed train stop on the way to the meetup 00:39:05 Meeting Dr. Schweitzer and hitting the road 00:54:52 Finding time to image and planning for remote skies 01:16:40 At the cottage: meet Tim 01:22:06 Cooking dinner and talking dark skies 01:31:08 Camera lenses versus telescopes 01:37:07 Processing software and homemade mounts 01:47:54 Building a remote observatory setup 01:58:09 Simple star trackers, dithering, and calibration frames 02:09:19 Choosing gear, upgrades, and support 02:20:32 Learning from the community 02:28:49 One-on-one with Tim: photography and finding astronomy 02:39:08 Generosity, friendship, and the Astrocast community 02:50:21 Imaging together and learning to gather more data 02:57:52 Mark shares his Mont Blanc Milky Way image 03:03:22 Planning a simple Milky Way setup 03:13:10 Finding the joy in less gear 03:22:11 Under the Stars: a clearing above the clouds 03:24:24 Tim sees the Milky Way for the first time 03:29:20 Heading home: Mark reflects on the trip 03:38:28 “Alone Together” — a poem by Mark Lindley 03:41:13 Roo’s closing thanks and epilogue 03:43:47 The Astrocast outro song Music credit “La fille aux cheveux de lin” from Préludes, Book I by Claude Debussy. MIDI performance by Katsuhiro Oguri, rendered using Garritan Steinway; published by Quinn Mason. Sourced from IMSLP, file #280628, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0. Mixed beneath poetry and closing narration for this episode. ✨ Agena Astro | 🔭 High Point Scientific | 📦 Amazon | 🌌 First Light Optics | 🪐 365 Astronomy Please note!! When using affiliate links, PLEASE check and make sure you don't have an active ad-blocker/incognito mode on, as it will prevent the link from working. We also would like to welcome 365Astronomy as a new affiliate with the Astrocast! This affiliate has been requested for our friends across the pond in Europe, so I hope someone will use it. Thanks for your support!!! Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

NEW LINK: Episode 104

Sorry to bother your feeds! I had to reupload this weeks video, here ya go! https://youtu.be/vl6zu6NJoH0 Clear skies! -Roo Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

Episode 104 - See link!!!

UPDATE : Link updated, video back up! Sorry about that! Hey Astrocast family! This week we have a VERY special episode for you, where me, Justin, and Parish sit down to discuss mono-processing in Pixinsight! There's no point in uploading an audio only version of this, so I thought i'd share the link! Hope to see you there, clear skies! https://youtu.be/vl6zu6NJoH0 ALSO - we'll be back shortly with an all new audio episode! Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

Episode 103 - Meteor Showers, meet Networking Powers!

✨ Agena Astro | 🔭 High Point Scientific | 📦 Amazon | 🌌 First Light Optics | 🪐 365 Astronomy Please note!! When using affiliate links, PLEASE check and make sure you don't have an active ad-blocker/incognito mode on, as it will prevent the link from working. We also would like to welcome 365Astronomy as a new affiliate with the Astrocast! This affiliate has been requested for our friends across the pond in Europe, so I hope someone will use it. Thanks for your support!!! Welcome BAAACK to The Astrocast! This week, Roo sits down and chats about getting back to basics, watching meteor showers with friends and family, and lots of new software for managing shared/networked folders and files. RustDesk: https://rustdesk.com/ SyncThing: https://syncthing.net/ Home Assistant: https://www.home-assistant.io/ Affiliate links to popular Astrogear! ASI2600MC Pro - Cooled Astronomy Camera: https://bit.ly/4ymcjLD ASI2600MM Pro (Mono) - https://bit.ly/3RsqQVr ASI6200MC Pro (Full Frame OSC) - https://bit.ly/4h4iFsN ASI6200MM Pro (Full Frame Mono) -- https://bit.ly/4yIhZ2u AM3N Harmonic Drive Mount (w/tripod) - https://bit.ly/4ysuIX1 Seestar S30 Pro Smart Scope : https://bit.ly/4hH14Hp Want to run a remote rig??? You can build your own version of my remote rig! The only things I don't have listed here yet are the DeepSkyDad FP2 and Dew heaters. I'm workin on that! GLI.Net Comet - Remote KVM : https://amzn.to/4fF9GNp ASI2600MC Pro - Cooled Astronomy Camera: https://bit.ly/4ymcjLD ASI120MM Mini - Guide Camera: https://bit.ly/4vwbs8b AM3N Harmonic Drive Mount (w/tripod) - https://bit.ly/4ysuIX1 Mini PC - https://amzn.to/4gHGLcH ZWO EAF - Focuser: https://bit.ly/4yIEf1X ZWO CAA - Rotator/Camera Angle Adjuster: https://bit.ly/4pnFoC6 ZWO 5X2” EFW Filter Wheel (2025) - Filter Wheel: https://bit.ly/4w9Kkxa SVBONY SV241 Pro - Power Hub: https://amzn.to/4h1lsD9 APC BE600M1 - UPS Battery Backup: https://amzn.to/4f8snci NETGEAR GS305E - Network Switch: https://amzn.to/44v2uNE TP-Link Tapo P316M - Smart Power Strip (HS300 successor/equivalent): https://amzn.to/4ymeJdb Please note - these are affiliate links and The Astrocast receives a small percentage of the profits from the seller. The prices do not change for you, and it benefits the show. Win win! Get your AC Merch Today - https://qcroo.com/store Thanks for your support! If you enjoyed this episode and would like to make a 1 time contribution, please feel free to at Buy me a Coffee! If this kind of content is up your alley, please consider joining our Patreon! You'll get access to the incredible members only Discord where we all chat 24/7! Find us on Facebook! - if you don't join the Patreon, please stop by and say hi! Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening! Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

• Transcript

Episode 102 - Reflect Deez Orbitals

WELCOME BAAAACK to The Astrocast! Roo sits down this week for a quick catch up with you guys to discuss his next project, and the ongoing NONSENSE that is Reflect Orbital. This one gets a little spicy, fair warning!!! Read the FCC Petition from AAS here. CALL OR WRITE YOUR LOCAL POLITICIANS! MAKE them do SOMETHING! Join our Patreon, and get access to the BEST community in AP!: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheAstrocast 🛒 AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE Some links below are affiliate links. The Astrocast may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Ad blockers, incognito browsing and strict tracking protection may interfere with affiliate tracking. Thank you for supporting the show! ✨ SHOP WITH THE ASTROCAST Agena Astro: https://agenaastro.com/?rfsn=8632339.cb455f High Point Scientific: https://www.highpointscientific.com/?rfsn=8141859.a5f5d85 Amazon: https://amzn.to/4n0OMsz First Light Optics: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/index/ref/astrocast/ 🔭 GEAR DISCUSSED Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L: https://amzn.to/3S6iyTi ZWO ASI6200MM Pro: https://bit.ly/4yIhZ2u ZWO ASI6200MC Pro: https://bit.ly/4h4iFsN ZWO AM3N with tripod: https://bit.ly/4ysuIX1 ZWO Seestar S30 Pro: https://bit.ly/4hH14Hp 🌌 BUILD ROO’S REMOTE RIG GL.iNet Comet Remote KVM: https://amzn.to/4fF9GNp ZWO ASI2600MC Pro: https://bit.ly/4ymcjLD ZWO ASI2600MM Pro: https://bit.ly/3RsqQVr ZWO ASI120MM Mini: https://bit.ly/4vwbs8b ZWO AM3N: https://bit.ly/4ysuIX1 Mini PC: https://amzn.to/4gHGLcH ZWO EAF: https://bit.ly/4yIEf1X ZWO CAA Rotator: https://bit.ly/4pnFoC6 ZWO 5 × 2-inch EFW: https://bit.ly/4w9Kkxa SVBONY SV241 Pro Power Hub: https://amzn.to/4h1lsD9 APC BE600M1 UPS: https://amzn.to/4f8snci NETGEAR GS305E Switch: https://amzn.to/44v2uNE TP-Link Tapo P316M Power Strip: https://amzn.to/4ymeJdb 👕 SUPPORT THE SHOW Astrocast merch: https://qcroo.com/store Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/theastrocast Join our Patreon and members-only Discord: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheAstrocast Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

Episode 101 - Nico is Back!

**YOUTUBE VERSION HERE!!!*** - you'll wanna see this! How big does another galaxy look with the naked eye? In Chile’s Atacama Desert, Nico Carver saw the Large Magellanic Cloud hanging in the sky—so large that members of his group initially thought it was an ordinary cloud! Welcome BACK to The Astrocast! Roo sits down with Nico Carver of Nebula Photos to discuss his Atacama astrophotography workshop, the Southern Milky Way, 3D-printed astro gear, AI, smart scopes, remote observatories, mono versus one-shot color and much more. We also explore Nico’s incredible images of Gamma Velorum, the Vela Supernova Remnant, the LMC, Corona Australis and the Southern Cross-to-Carina region. Thank you to Nico for being such a wonderful friend of the show! 🔭 NICO CARVER / NEBULA PHOTOS YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO_gBdHekc74feh0bWqKJ1Q Website: https://www.nebulaphotos.com/ AstroBin: https://app.astrobin.com/u/nebulaphotos Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nebulaphotos 🛒 AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE Some links below are affiliate links. The Astrocast may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Ad blockers, incognito browsing and strict tracking protection may interfere with affiliate tracking. Thank you for supporting the show! ✨ SHOP WITH THE ASTROCAST Agena Astro: https://agenaastro.com/?rfsn=8632339.cb455f High Point Scientific: https://www.highpointscientific.com/?rfsn=8141859.a5f5d85 Amazon: https://amzn.to/4n0OMsz First Light Optics: https://www.firstlightoptics.com/index/ref/astrocast/ 🔭 GEAR DISCUSSED Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L: https://amzn.to/3S6iyTi ZWO ASI6200MM Pro: https://bit.ly/4yIhZ2u ZWO ASI6200MC Pro: https://bit.ly/4h4iFsN ZWO AM3N with tripod: https://bit.ly/4ysuIX1 ZWO Seestar S30 Pro: https://bit.ly/4hH14Hp 🌌 BUILD ROO’S REMOTE RIG GL.iNet Comet Remote KVM: https://amzn.to/4fF9GNp ZWO ASI2600MC Pro: https://bit.ly/4ymcjLD ZWO ASI2600MM Pro: https://bit.ly/3RsqQVr ZWO ASI120MM Mini: https://bit.ly/4vwbs8b ZWO AM3N: https://bit.ly/4ysuIX1 Mini PC: https://amzn.to/4gHGLcH ZWO EAF: https://bit.ly/4yIEf1X ZWO CAA Rotator: https://bit.ly/4pnFoC6 ZWO 5 × 2-inch EFW: https://bit.ly/4w9Kkxa SVBONY SV241 Pro Power Hub: https://amzn.to/4h1lsD9 APC BE600M1 UPS: https://amzn.to/4f8snci NETGEAR GS305E Switch: https://amzn.to/44v2uNE TP-Link Tapo P316M Power Strip: https://amzn.to/4ymeJdb 👕 SUPPORT THE SHOW Astrocast merch: https://qcroo.com/store Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/theastrocast Join our Patreon and members-only Discord: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheAstrocast 🕒 CHAPTERS 0:00 Welcome Back, Nico Carver! 4:31 The Rise of 3D-Printed Astro Gear 11:42 Collimation and Continuing to Learn 15:30 AI in Astrophotography 22:20 Nico’s Atacama Adventure 27:23 The Travel Rig and Imaging Plan 35:10 Imaging Under Atacama Skies 41:32 Seeing the LMC Naked-Eye 43:39 Dark Skies vs. Remote Imaging 45:32 Leading Astrophotography Workshops 49:57 Friendship and the Astronomy Community 56:28 Gamma Velorum and the Vela Supernova Remnant 1:03:22 Nico’s Large Magellanic Cloud Image 1:06:39 The Southern Milky Way 1:15:07 Flamingos, Vicuñas and Rainbow Valley 1:17:05 Teaching Image Processing 1:19:24 Listener Questions 1:21:51 Imaging Under Heavy Light Pollution 1:25:57 Gatekeeping and Smart Telescopes 1:29:11 Remote Imaging Lessons 1:33:50 Mono vs. One-Shot Color 1:39:09 Nico’s Future Projects and Giant Prints 1:44:07 Managing YouTube, Patreon and Burnout 1:47:11 Nico’s Astronomy Tattoos 1:48:03 The Astrocast Outro #Astrophotography #Astronomy #NebulaPhotos Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

EPISODE 100 - BORTLE 1 OR BUST (part 2)

✨ Agena Astro | 🔭 High Point Scientific | 📦 Amazon | 🌌 First Light Optics **Please note!! When using affiliate links, PLEASE check and make sure you don't have an ad blocker, incognito mode, or blocked cookies... thank you for your support!!!** WELCOME BAAAACK to The Astrocast! WATCH this weeks new episode on YouTube! LOTS of video content! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7UZA-h5MTw We’re celebrating Episode 100 with a full-length road-trip adventure from Charlotte to the Bortle 1 skies of Utah. Join Parish and me as we visit Astro Peak, build remote observatory rigs, image under some of the darkest skies in the country, and reflect on 100 episodes of The Astrocast. JOIN THE ASTROCAST PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/TheAstrocast SUPPORT THE SHOW ON BUY ME A COFFEE https://buymeacoffee.com/theastrocast GET ASTROCAST MERCH https://qcroo.com/store JOIN US ON FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/TheAstrocastPod AFFILIATE LINKS — PAID LINKS Purchases made through the links below may earn The Astrocast a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some ad blockers and strict privacy settings may prevent affiliate referral tracking. Thank you for supporting the show! BUILD YOUR OWN REMOTE ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY RIG — AFFILIATE LINKS I’m still adding the DeepSkyDad FP2 flat panel and dew heaters, but here is the rest of the setup: GL.iNet Comet Remote KVM https://amzn.to/4fF9GNp ZWO ASI2600MC Pro Cooled Astronomy Camera https://bit.ly/4ymcjLD ZWO ASI120MM Mini Guide Camera https://bit.ly/4vwbs8b ZWO AM3N Harmonic Drive Mount with Tripod https://bit.ly/4ysuIX1 Mini PC https://amzn.to/4gHGLcH ZWO EAF Electronic Automatic Focuser https://bit.ly/4yIEf1X ZWO CAA Camera Angle Adjuster https://bit.ly/4pnFoC6 ZWO 5 x 2-inch EFW Filter Wheel https://bit.ly/4w9Kkxa SVBONY SV241 Pro Power Hub https://amzn.to/4h1lsD9 APC BE600M1 UPS Battery Backup https://amzn.to/4f8snci NETGEAR GS305E Network Switch https://amzn.to/44v2uNE TP-Link Tapo P316M Smart Power Strip https://amzn.to/4ymeJdb If this kind of trip sounds great to you, consider joining our Patreon. You’ll get access to our members-only Discord, where 99% of adventures like these begin. While Parish and I were heading for Bortle 1 in the United States, our friend and cohost Mark was meeting up with other listeners in Europe. Stay tuned for that episode! Thank you for helping The Astrocast celebrate 100 episodes in style. Please stop by Facebook, YouTube, or—better yet—the Discord and say hello! CHAPTERS 00:00 Why We Didn’t Fly 01:00 Episode 100 & Astro Peak Update 02:57 The CEM26 Remote-Mount Mistake 07:07 Supporting The Astrocast 09:23 First Night at Astro Peak 11:45 Utah Drive & First Light 2027 15:34 Bortle 1 Skies & 100 Episodes 18:43 The 100th-Episode Intro 19:42 Final Night Under Bortle 1 Skies 22:15 The Road From Charlotte to Utah 24:11 Building Astro Peak Observatory 26:05 First Piers & Parish’s Astro-Physics AP1100GTO 30:48 Polar Alignment and First Light 35:24 Five-Minute Unguided M81 37:06 Sleeping Under the Milky Way 39:26 Building the Remote Observatory Rigs 45:26 Rho Ophiuchi and the Bortle 1 Sky 46:31 The Otherworldly Drive Across Utah 50:18 Ticaboo Lodge and Mile Marker 13 1:02:29 Setting Up a Bortle 1 Imaging Night 1:10:15 Seestar, Rho Ophiuchi & 30-Second Exposures 1:17:12 The 2027 Astrocast Listener Meetup 1:23:03 Satellites, Space Ads & Saving the Night Sky 1:30:14 Cosmic Perspective, Learning the Sky & Polar Alignment 1:35:46 Parish’s Astrophotography Gear Journey 1:43:44 Modern Star Trackers & Rethinking Smart Telescopes 1:58:19 Harmonic Mounts & Ultimate Travel Rigs 2:10:26 Integration Time, Processing & Growth 2:14:08 Friendship and the Astrocast Community 2:23:24 Life Is Short, Saturn & Endless Possibilities 2:28:41 Remote Observatories and the People Who Inspire Us 2:36:48 Final Thoughts Under the Milky Way 2:39:28 The Astrocast Song 2:42:41 Dropping Off Parish & Heading Home 2:46:13 Road-Trip Essentials & Remote-Rig Backups 2:59:34 Laws, Sober Driving & Mountain Safety 3:05:27 Speed, Police, Brakes & Mountain Descents 3:12:30 No Cell Service, Satellites & Starlink Mini 3:25:01 Portable Fridge, Missouri Roads & Desert Comforts 3:34:27 Scorpions, Wildlife & Remote-Site Safety 3:41:57 Protecting Gear and Choosing Hotels 3:48:51 Why You Should Bring a Friend 3:55:34 Rental-Car Lessons & Two-Person Benefits 4:00:20 Driving Limits and Knowing When to Stop 4:04:16 Blue Horsehead First Light & Astro Peak Thanks 4:07:01 Thank You, Astrocast Family 4:07:55 Clear Skies Questions or comments? [Roo@TheAstrocast.com](mailto:Roo@TheAstrocast.com) Clear skies, and thank you for watching! Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

Episode 99 - Bortle 1 or Bust (Part 1 of 2)

✨ Agena Astro | 🔭 High Point Scientific | 📦 Amazon | 🌌 First Light Optics WELCOME BAAAACK to The Astrocast! We have a FULL video component with this weeks episode, which you can find here! There's some truly beautiful scenery while me and Parish make our way to the middle of nowhere! We drove nearly 5,000 miles in 10 days for an EPIC run to the Darkest Skies N. America has to offer!!! If you happen to watch the YouTube video, please give a like and comment, and subscribe! The Astrocast will have a lot more video content coming this year, so make sure you're subscribed! If this kind of trip sounds great to you, please consider joining our Patreon! You'll get access to the incredible members only Discord where 99 percent of plans like these hatch! While me and Parish we're heading for Bortle 1 in the US, our friend and cohost Mark was meeting up with other listeners in Europe! Stay tuned for that episode, it's coming! Thank you so much for all of your support, as the Astrocast prepares to celebrate it's 100th episode in STYLE! Find us on Facebook! - if you don't join the Patreon, please stop by and say hi! Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

Bortle 1 or BUST

Just a quick check in from the Tennessee rest area!!! If you’re seeing this because you scanned the QR code, welcome to the Astrocast Family!!! clear skies! Roo Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

Episode 98 - Let's talk Astro (w/Justin and Parish)

✨ Agena Astro | 🔭 High Point Scientific | 📦 Amazon | 🌌 First Light Optics WELCOME BAAAACK to The Astrocast! This week, Roo sits down with his buddies Justin and Parish to talk Astrophotography! Remote imaging, Rokinon 135's, SSDs, HDDs, and everything in between! This is an EXTRA-LENGTH episode, so get comfy, and hopefully under a dark clear sky! Special thanks to Justin and Parish for spending the evening talking AP with me. Here's a link to the m48 Flange we discuss during the back half of the show, guaranteed to make your Rokinon/Samyang 135 a better rig! First Light Optics M48 to Samyang/Rokinon 135 Flange The Bambuu Labs 3d printing debacle! Great USB Cables we were discussing The prior links are affiliate links that help the show! If you make a purchase through one of them, you get the same great price, but a small cut of the profit goes to support The Astrocast. Thanks for your support! Join our PATREON! Become a member of The Astrocast Family today, and talk with us whenever ya please! You will get access to the AC Discord right away, and you'll love it! I also send a personal video thank you to every single person who joins, I greatly appreciate your support! Quick disclaimer: this is a discussion based on our opinions, interpretations, and publicly available information. Nothing we say should be taken as a legal claim, accusation, or statement of fact about anyone’s guilt, intent, liability, or wrongdoing. We’re here to comment, speculate, and discuss not to litigate. Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

AC Shorts (Trips a comin)

Hey Guys! Happy weekend :) <3 Roo Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

Episode 97 - Capturing Exoplanet Transits w/Jorik

✨ Agena Astro | 🔭 High Point Scientific | 📦 Amazon | 🌌 First Light Optics Welcome BAAAACK to The Astrocast! This week, Roo recaps some of the preparations he is taking before setting off on a 4,000 mile round trip adventure to the darkest skies he has ever seen. Afterwards, he sits down with a new friend to talk about a VERY fascinating field, capturing exoplanet transits! Roo is extremely excited at the thought of capturing his own transit, and will definitely keep you posted on how his progress goes, as he makes it! If there's enough interest in this, I would consider doing a video episode going through all the steps! Join the Astrocast Family! - Gain access to our members only Patreon, access to Astropeak Remote Observatory in the wide open Bortle 1 skies of Utah, and become friends with some of the best astronomers in the world! Buy me a coffee if you enjoy the show! A big shoutout to our newest 3 members of the Astrocast family, Jesse, Sean, and Dr. Dave! Thank you guys for joining the Patreon and the Discord, you've been a breath of fresh air! Also, a big thank you to everyone who continues to use the affiliate links at the top of the post, if you use them when making any purchase through these vendors, you'll get the same great prices as always, but a small portion of the profits goes to benefit the Astrocast. Thanks so much for your support! LINKS from this week's episode! The Swarthmore Transit Finder - Find a transit happening in a solar system "near" you tonight! How to observe exoplanets (part of the NASA Exoplanet Watch programme) - The how! Read this first, to get a better understanding! Information about EXOTIC (EXOplanet Transit Interpretation Code) - Definitely check this out. The google form for EXOTIC advanced - You'll definitely need this! Joriks Astrobin - WOW!!! I'm glad you did this, Jorik! Amazing images! And here's Roo's Astrobin - though it definitely needs some more photos! That'll be coming this summer, for sure. As a reminder, I'll be ON THE ROAD from June 12-22nd, so episodes will be flakey during this period...but stay tuned, cause it's gonna be worth it when we get back! Cover photo this week - credit to Acererak! Great image! Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

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Episode 96 - The NEAF Episode

https://youtu.be/b_54zFXexTI The NEAF Episode premiers on Youtube at 4pm EST 5/19/2026! I hope to see you there! Clear Skies!!! -Roo Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

Episode 95 - Craving Dark Skies

✨ Agena Astro | 🔭 High Point Scientific | 📦 Amazon | 🌌 First Light Optics Welcome BAAAACK to The Astrocast! This week, join Roo as he takes you on a midnight journey to the middle of nowhere, a place where only Whippoorwills and Darkness dare to tread, a place where sleepy eyes are no match for the Milky Way! As a reminder, if you'd like to join the coolest Astronomy club there is, consider joining The Astrocast Society! Become a member today and get exclusive access to The Astrocast Discord - where you will meet and talk with like minded individuals 24/7. It truly is a GREAT place to be. You can also get exclusive access to Astropeak Observatory, a remote observatory in Utah under Bortle 1 skies! Join the Patreon now and when you reserve your pier Astropeak will pay for your membership! WIN WIN! We'll be off next week to take time for editing a HUGE episode that is coming up soon, but we'll see you in Mid-May! Happy early Milky Way season, get out there and see it! No excuses! If you'd like to see the photo Roo got from this trip, check it out here on the FB Page for The Astrocast. For 1 hour of exposures it came out pretty cool! Move Shoot Move Nomad - Currently sold out - but keep checking back! Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

Episode 94 - Link in Description

See the new episode here! Click the link above to goto The Astrocast on Youtube, and see this weeks new episode! Thank you all SO MUCH for your support! Special episodes like this one are only possible because you all show your support by listening to all the others, and supporting the Patreon! Clear Skies! -Roo Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

Episode 93 - Talking FILTERS w/James from Leviathan Optical

✨ Agena Astro | 🔭 High Point Scientific | 📦 Amazon | 🌌 First Light Optics Welcome baaaack to The Astrocast! This week, Roo sits down w/James from Leviathan Optical to discuss the current state of Astrophotography, Filters for OSC Cameras, and of course, the Spectral Pro from Leviathan Optical. James is an incredibly talented and smart astrophotographer based in Dublin, Dr. James Murphy is an endlessly fascinating guy who I could talk to for 8 hours if I didn't have to make dinner with my wife occasionally. I'm going to do my best to link to everything we discussed, but if I missed anything, please let me know! LINKS from this weeks Discussion: Leviathan Optical Website Get your Leviathan Spectral Pro at FLO! Horizon Astronomy (if you're in Germany, check em out!) John Walsh on Astrobin Resources on Leviathan Optical (this is where you can find the tools/datasheets we discussed during the show) Gallery showing results from Leviathan Spectral Pro (including my Heart Nebula) Thanks so much for tuning in to the Astrocast, we'll be back with a new episode next week, and until then...as always - CLEAR SKIES!!!! -Roo Support the show Email me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!

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