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  • Episode 109 - Collimation Participation

    Episode 109 - Collimation Participation
    2026/10/29
    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 MENTIONEDCollimation & 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.comThe 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/4s4pAWgThe 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.spaceJoin our Patreon to get a discount on your pier at AP! https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheAstrocast⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 Intro00:46 Welcome Back01:50 From Refractors to an SCT02:18 Five Months at Astro Peak03:54 Learning to Collimate the C804:20 SharpCap: The Right Tool for Collimation06:28 Connecting Gear & Finding a Bright Star08:59 Making the "Donut" — Defocusing Explained10:29 The Cardboard Mask Trick13:48 Adjusting the Collimation Screws15:28 The Flattened Donut Mystery16:15 Building a Non-ZWO C8 Rig18:51 SVBony SV241 & Ditching the Laptop20:39 Running a 30ft Active USB Cable to the Pier23:54 Controlling the Rig from an iPad25:21 Future Plans: Mini PC, StellarMate & SynLink26:59 A Waterproof Power Box28:54 The TeleGizmos 365 Cover31:28 RC Telescopes & the "Retirement Scope"33:34 Wrap-Up: Orion Season & the Pleiades35:49 Outro💬 Know great C8/Gemini autofocus settings (step size, backlash)? Email Roo: roo@theastrocast.com🌌 SUPPORT THE SHOWJoin the Patreon for members-only Discord access and a discount at Astro Peak:https://www.patreon.com/theastrocast🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple PodcastsShout-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 #astronomySupport the showEmail me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!
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    39 分
  • Episode 108 - He found a Green Star!

    Episode 108 - He found a Green Star!
    2026/10/21
    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 HOLLANDSWhat 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.CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome to The Astrocast01:24 Meet Dr. Mark Hollands: what is a white dwarf?02:17 Mark's path into astronomy05:09 The fate awaiting most stars06:54 What colors are white dwarfs?08:36 A star that would look pale green09:32 How rare are unusual stellar colors?11:50 Spectroscopy and a star's chemical barcode16:07 Mining the Sloan Digital Sky Survey18:35 How Gaia transformed white-dwarf research21:26 Gaia, PixInsight, and star-color calibration23:19 Red stars, carbon, and a salmon-pink white dwarf28:16 Mushroom foraging, birding, and curiosity31:56 Advice for aspiring astrophysicists34:00 Life at a professional observatory39:54 Book recommendation & Move Shoot Move update40:47 Pink Floyd and Any Colour You Like41:43 Can amateurs photograph these stars?43:54 The next generation of spectroscopic surveys45:57 D6 survivors: white dwarfs launched by supernovae51:38 Supernova chemistry and the iron around us54:21 Mark's favorite object: GD 492 / LP 40-36556:39 Mushrooms, sim racing, and hobbies57:59 A dream observation with the Extremely Large Telescope59:37 Roo's closing thoughts1:00:06 The Astrocast outro songGUEST & RESOURCESDr. Mark Hollands:https://mahollands.github.io/Paper discussed: Any Colour You Likehttps://academic.oup.com/rasti/article/doi/10.1093/rasti/rzag069/8914458?searchresult=1Book mentioned: The Last Stargazers by Emily Levesquehttps://link.amazon/B0eV2rQKvJOIN THE ASTROCAST SOCIETYSupport the show on Patreon and join our private astronomy and astrophotography Discord community:https://www.patreon.com/c/TheAstrocastSHOP THROUGH OUR AFFILIATE LINKSYour purchases through these links help support The Astrocast at no additional cost to you.Agena Astro:https://agenaastro.com/?rfsn=8632339.cb455fHigh Point Scientific:https://www.highpointscientific.com/?rfsn=8141859.a5f5d85Amazon:https://amzn.to/4n0OMszFirst Light Optics:https://www.firstlightoptics.com/index/ref/astrocast/365 Astronomy:https://www.365astronomy.com/&af=astrocastMove Shoot Move:https://www.moveshootmove.com/?aff=784Disclosure: 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 RooSupport the showEmail me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!
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    1 時間 3 分
  • Episode 107 - Let's talk Astro

    Episode 107 - Let's talk Astro
    2026/10/13
    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.CHAPTERS00:00 Opening & Astrocast intro00:49 Welcome back & a Savannah getaway02:17 A late-night telescope scare at AstroPeak03:11 Why on-site support matters for remote imaging03:59 The rotator collision & getting the rig running again06:26 Chasing the Garlic Bulb Nebula07:34 Ten-minute exposures & the faint OIII experiment08:49 Dark Shark results & throwing out cloudy-night data10:05 EUROCAST thanks & community updates10:51 The Astrocast Society, Discord & AstroPeak member discount11:59 Building out the Celestron C8 beyond the ZWO ecosystem13:51 Player One Xena 585M & FHD-OAG MAX first impressions16:14 Bigger prisms, guide stars & a smooth helical focuser18:50 Sky-Watcher SynLink: a new imaging controller option21:26 SynLink vs. a mini PC running N.I.N.A.23:43 Remote imaging features & controller considerations24:25 C8 progress & the MLAstro SAL-33 mount25:14 Learning SCT collimation26:18 A future backyard setup & TeleGizmos 365 cover26:44 Good neighbors, fewer lights & backyard astronomy28:20 Upcoming projects, listener thanks & closing thoughts30:03 Astrocast outro songJOIN THE ASTROCAST SOCIETYWant 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/theastrocastAs 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-worksSOFTWARE & RESOURCESN.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 LINKSSome 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/4s4pAWgCelestron C8 — current optical tube listing:https://bit.ly/4dCBTTOASIAIR: https://bit.ly/4ew1pdEMLAstro SAL-33 Mount:https://mlastro.com/product/mlastro-sal-33/ZWO ASI585MC Pro:https://bit.ly/4B3rWITSky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi:https://bit.ly/4sazmq0Celestron EdgeHD 8 Telescope:https://bit.ly/4jkzGzXTeleGizmos 365 Telescope Covers:https://bit.ly/4eux0MNAskar Color Magic Duo Filter Set:https://bit.ly/47hvSbCSky-Watcher SynLink:https://bit.ly/4yWse2XGL.iNet Comet Remote KVM:https://amzn.to/4fF9GNpZWO ASI2600MC Pro Cooled Astronomy Camera:https://bit.ly/4ymcjLDZWO ASI120MM Mini Guide Camera:https://bit.ly/4vwbs8bZWO AM3N Harmonic Drive Mount with Tripod:https://bit.ly/4ysuIX1Mini PC:https://amzn.to/4gHGLcHZWO EAF Electronic Automatic Focuser:https://bit.ly/4yIEf1XZWO CAA Camera Angle Adjuster:https://bit.ly/4pnFoC6ZWO 5 × 2-inch EFW Filter Wheel:https://bit.ly/4w9KkxaSVBONY SV241 Pro Power Hub:https://amzn.to/4h1lsD9APC BE600M1 UPS Battery Backup:https://amzn.to/4f8snciNETGEAR GS305E Network Switch:https://amzn.to/44v2uNETP-Link Tapo P316M Smart Power Strip:https://amzn.to/4ymeJdbSupport the showEmail me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!
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    33 分
  • Episode 106 - Link in notes!

    Episode 106 - Link in notes!
    2026/10/02

    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!
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    2 分
  • Episode 105 - Seuls Ensemble (Alone, Together)

    Episode 105 - Seuls Ensemble (Alone, Together)
    2026/09/17

    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!
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    3 時間 47 分
  • NEW LINK: Episode 104

    NEW LINK: Episode 104
    2026/09/05

    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!
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    1 分
  • Episode 104 - See link!!!

    Episode 104 - See link!!!
    2026/09/03

    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!
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    1 分
  • Episode 103 - Meteor Showers, meet Networking Powers!

    Episode 103 - Meteor Showers, meet Networking Powers!
    2026/08/25
    ✨ Agena Astro | 🔭 High Point Scientific | 📦 Amazon | 🌌 First Light Optics | 🪐 365 AstronomyPlease 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/4hH14HpWant 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/4ymeJdbPlease 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 showEmail me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!Support the showEmail me at "Roo@TheAstrocast.com" with any questions/comments. Thanks for listening!
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    1 時間 6 分