ASIAir Plus - Review & Tutorial Peter Zelinka 2021-09-02 | The ASIAir Plus allows you to control your entire astrophotography workflow from your smartphone / tablet. That means you can sit comfortably in your house and control your camera, monitor your guiding, control your Go-To, and much more. I've used the ASIAir Pro extensively over the past two years, and really enjoyed it. However, it did suffer from a very bad wi-fi range. I could be within a few feet of the ASIAir Pro and still lose reception. Thankfully, the new ASIAir Plus solves this problem! I can still get reception, even with two brick walls between me and the ASIAir Plus.You can buy the ASIAir Plus directly from your preferred astro retailer, it should officially launch in November.To learn more about my ASIAir workflow, and how it can make your night a lot easier, check out the courses on my website:peterzelinka.com/tutorials00:00 - Intro00:40 - ASIAir Plus Features4:30 - Powering the ASIAir Plus5:38 - Initial Setup (Activation + Firmware Update)10:07 - ASIAir Plus Settings15:36 - My Astro Workflow16:37 - Polar Alignment18:47 - Plate Solve and Go-To20:44 - Cool that Camera!22:02 - Start Guiding23:42 - Set AutoRun Shooting Schedule25:47 - Finish Guiding Calibration27:07 - ASIAir Plus Review29:27 - Learn More
BlurXTerminator Saves the Day! Peter Zelinka 2023-02-07 | If you've got blurry stars, or a slightly fuzzy nebula / galaxy, then BlurXTerminator may save your image. In my experience, it does a wonderful job shrinking down bloated stars, and adding contrast and detail to an otherwise soft nebula. In today's example we can see just how far BlurXterminator is able to go in salvaging some data!You can download a free trial of BlurXTerminator here:rc-astro.com/resources/BlurXTerminator/index.php
Mapping the Carolina Bays | Michael Davias Interview Peter Zelinka 2022-12-21 | Earlier this year I published a video on the Carolina Bays and discussed Antonio Zamora's ice boulder hypothesis. The foundation of that video was the LIDAR overlay for Google Earth, created by Michael Davias. This tools allows you to clearly see Carolina Bays, Nebraska Rainwater Basins, and High-Plains Playas in Google Earth. So far, Michael has mapped over 50,000 Carolina Bays in this survey!Since the mystery regarding the Carolina Bays has yet to be solved, it's nice to hear from differing viewpoints. In this interview, Michael lays out his hypothesis on how the Carolina Bays were formed, and how they relate to the enigmatic Australasian Tektite Field.If you would like to download the Carolina Bays LIDAR imagery, you can find it on Michael's website:http://cbaysurvey.cintos.orgHere's a link to Michael's GSA paper, which shows the full 30 page hypothesis:pubs.geoscienceworld.org/books/edited-volume/2323/chapter-abstract/132525009/Postulating-an-unconventional-location-for-the?redirectedFrom=fulltextThe Mid-Pleistocene Transition Impact Hypothesis:http://mptimpact.orgYou can find more of Michael's papers here:researchgate.net/profile/Michael-Davias-2To learn more about the orbital mechanics of the impact hypothesis, check out Thomas Harris on researchgate:researchgate.net/profile/Thomas-Harris-1500:00 - Intro01:38 - Discovering the Carolina Bays02:22 - Goldsboro Ridge Enigma05:10 - Impact Hypothesis07:01 - Australasian Tektite Mystery12:47 - Mid-Pleistocene Transition13:52 - Falsifying the Hypothesis16:30 - Measuring the Bays with LIDAR25:51 - The High-Plains Playas29:13 - Impact Hypothesis - Saginaw Bay34:53 - Carolina Bay Erosion41:57 - Crater Alignments - Multiple Impacts?44:36 - How did the Carolina Bays Form?49:08 - Problems with Zamora's Ice Boulder Hypothesis55:18 - Problems with Comet Airburst57:47 - Dating the Carolina Bays1:00:29 - Clay in Carolina Bays1:04:47 - Bay Rims are Hard to See1:05:38 - Nebraska Rainwater Basins1:09:36 - No Fossils in Bays?1:12:54 - Learn more at Cintos1:14:10 - Outro
ASI 533MM Review + Tutorial Peter Zelinka 2022-12-09 | I've been using the ASI533MM on every clear night since May 2022, and this camera has done a phenomenal job! I love how well the sensor performs, with no amp glow and a high Quantum Efficiency This makes narrowband work much easier from my light polluted backyard! In addition, this camera pairs perfectly with my SpaceCat 250mm telescope. Thanks to the 2.7x crop factor of this sensor, I can fill the frame nicely with most nebulae and galaxies.My only real problem with this camera is the square sensor. This is fine for most people, but its not ideal for video (with a 16x9 ratio). Also, the camera resolution is ~3000 x ~3000 pixels, which is a bit low. However, I haven't noticed any real quality loss when cropping in. All things considered, I'd highly recommend the ASI533MM for anyone looking for a monochrome camera with a small sensor!You can purchase the ASI533MM here:agenaastro.com/zwo-533mm-cooled-monochrome-astronomy-camera.html?aw_affiliate=eyJjYW1wYWlnbl9pZCI6IjQiLCJ0cmFmZmljX3NvdXJjZSI6IllvdVR1YmUiLCJhY2NvdW50X2lkIjoxM30I also highly recommend getting the AM5 go-to mount. It's a game-changer for astrophotography:agenaastro.com/zwo-am5-harmonic-drive-equatorial-mount-and-tripod.html?aw_affiliate=eyJjYW1wYWlnbl9pZCI6IjQiLCJ0cmFmZmljX3NvdXJjZSI6IllvdVR1YmUiLCJhY2NvdW50X2lkIjoxM3000:00 - Intro00:26 - Price & Filter Options01:39 - Sensor Size & Crop Factor03:20 - No Amp Glow!04:06 - Cooling System04:49 - Control the 533MM05:30 - Photos 06:36 - Final Review08:07 - Orion & Star Lore11:21 - Tutorial - Stacking in DSS19:31 - PixInsight Workflow26:56 - Photoshop Workflow34:00 - Outro
Catastrophe & Cartography - Sand Dunes Peter Zelinka 2022-11-05 | Our tool for today will be Google Earth Pro's "Historical Imagery" tool. This will allow us to see all of the satellite imagery that has been captured going back roughly 40 years:google.com/earth/about/versionsYou can download all of the reference images and research papers I used for this video here:drive.google.com/drive/folders/10u_XUW2bipR2rJtjZX2nHoraK3slZLjd?usp=share_linkA few months ago I had the unique opportunity to sit down with @TheRandallCarlson to discuss the sand formations found in the Sahara Desert. You can watch that video here:youtu.be/LOtydLmdfV8After our discussion, I was excited to learn as much as possible about the other sand dune formations found around the world. I quickly realized that the formation and movement of sand dunes are not as obvious as they might appear to the untrained eye. For example, the Barchan Dunes, which are found all around the world, appear to be shaped by water (at least, I thought they did). Thanks to the "Historical Imagery" tool though, I learned that these sand formations are moved fairly quickly by wind.As I dug deeper into the various dune fields, I learned that there really hasn't been that much research done on them. Imagine that! Not too many people are eager to wander out into the middle of a lifeless desert to study how sand moves... Another thing that stood out to me is that most of the sand dune formation research was done nearly 100 years ago, by one man. His work still forms the foundation of modern science in this field. He never had access to satellite data though. We are the first generation that has easy access to our entire planet, thanks to Google Earth. Using this tool, along with the Historical Imagery, we can understand how our planet changes over time.In one of the research papers linked above, the scientists admit that the sand dunes found in the Scablands of Eastern Washington were created during the ice age floods, roughly 12,800 - 10,000 years ago. This sand is likely the remains of some mountain ranges up north, which were eroded as the Cordilleran Ice Sheet was catastrophically melting. Based on this understanding, I began to look at our sand dunes around the world. The Nebraska Sand Hills, which are the largest dune field in the Western Hemisphere, have been dated to 12,600 years ago. That was the oldest sediment date found in the sand dunes. If that dating is accurate, it coincides almost perfectly with the initial meltdown of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Therefore, the formation of the Nebraska Sand Hills may be similar to the formation of the Scabland dunes. As the Laurentide Ice Sheet began melting due to some catastrophe, large flows of meltwater came pouring down south. Some of these flood waters may have washed over Nebraska, and deposited a large amount of sand. This would have all taken place during the start of the Younger Dryas.As we know, the Younger Dryas started with a bang, and then got very cold. It remained that way for roughly 1,200 years. At ~11,600 years the Younger Dryas ended due to another large warming spike and we eventually transitioned into the present Holocene epoch. With the help of the National Map Viewer, and the "Tinted Hillshade Overlay" we can clearly see which way the flood waters went. (To the east of Nebraska). Therefore, I would say it's possible the initial event that triggered the Younger Dryas sent a pulse of meltwater down into Nebraska, depositing most of the dune field. Then, at the end of the Younger Dryas, the meltwater formed a new path through South / North Dakota and Minnesota. This became the major outlet for most of the meltwater, which is why it is so well-defined. This also explains why the Nebraska Sand Hills still exist, they were spared from most of the direct flood waters of the melting Laurentide Ice Sheet.Assuming this hypothesis is correct, it would help to explain the formation of other dune fields found around the world. This brings us to the Catastrophism vs Uniformitarianism debate. The Uniformitarians look at our present rates of change and erosion, and apply that same speed throughout history. In other words: slow, incremental, one grain of sand at a time. The canyons we see, like the Grand Canyon, took millions of years to erode. The mountains we see, like the Rockies, took millions of years to grow. A catastrophist sees the world through a different lens, all around him are clear signs of fast, intense erosion and deposition. The mountains may have been formed much faster, especially if a comet or asteroid slammed into the planet and accelerated the movement of plates and faults. Or at the very least disturbed them enough to become more active. This could also trigger volcanoes to erupt, continental plates to jolt and create tsunamis, and much more. These catastrophic events could even lead to large floods, which are capable of moving large quantities of sand...
Color Masks for Narrowband Processing | Photoshop Tutorial Peter Zelinka 2022-10-21 | A color mask allows you to precisely target each color channel in Photoshop. When combined with a Levels or Curves adjustment layer, this is a very powerful way to alter the color balance of your image. This workflow is great for nebula photos captured in H-Alpha + Oxygen, although you can use it for any camera and filter combination.@JimmyMcIntyre has lots of great Photoshop tutorials, and his Raya Pro plugin is crucial to this workflow. We'll use the InstaMask feature to quickly create our color masks. You can find Jimmy's Raya Pro here:shutterevolve.com/raya-pro-the-ultimate-digital-blending-workflow-panel-for-photoshopTo learn more about astrophotography, check out my Deep Space Course on howtube:howtube.com/series/eUVHB9fI00:00 - Intro01:46 - Layer Mask Refresher03:34 - InstaMask Workflow08:23 - "Apply Mask" Alternate Workflow13:10 - Selective Color Adjustments14:14 - Outro
Looking back at my early Milky Way photos Peter Zelinka 2022-10-19 | Check out my new Milky Way Course, which has over 60 videos that will teach you how to take amazing nightscape images:howtube.com/series/pMFLni83In today's video we'll take a look at my first Milky Way photos, ranging from 2014 - 2016. Surprisingly, they don't look as bad as I would've thought. The images are fairly grainy, the stars aren't 100% sharp, but the data isn't terrible. This just goes to show that you don't need the latest and greatest camera gear to take a nice Milky Way photo. However, I do recommend getting a star tracker at some point. These devices will move your camera with the speed of the stars, allowing you to capture more light. I've got plenty of YouTube videos that will teach you how to use them as well.Fluidscape by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100393Artist: http://incompetech.com00:00 - Looking back at the JPEGs03:42 - RAW Editing Tutorial10:06 - Double-Processing Tutorial17:19 - Wide-Aperture Pros / Cons21:12 - Light Pollution vs Dark Skies27:18 - Final Thoughts
Create a Star Trails Timelapse Video Peter Zelinka 2022-10-17 | To learn more about Star Trails, check out my new Star Trails Course on howtube:howtube.com/series/JOx736skIn this video I'll show you how to create a beautiful star trails timelapse video. You will need StarStaX for this workflow, which you can download using the link below. https://markus-enzweiler.de/software/starstax/We'll start off editing the RAW photos in Adobe Bridge + Camera RAW. Be sure to fix the exposure, white balance, contrast, and saturation. Also, head to the Detail tab and lower the "Sharpening" slider to 0. You may also want to increase the "Noise Reduction" slider to around 10 -20. After you've made your edits, save the RAWs as JPEGS in a new folder. Next, use StarStaX to create a demo star trails image. This will show off any problems with your edits. If the final star trails image doesn't look good, you can always go back and re-edit your RAW photos again. If the star trails image looks good though, besides the planes, you can continue on.We'll head to Photoshop next and begin removing any planes or distracting lights from every single photo. This is optional, but highly recommended. Consider this - every light will be burned into the final video. Therefore, if a plane flies through the image within the first few photos, it will be there for the rest of the timelapse. After all the plane trails have been removed from the individual JPEG photos, you can head back to StarStaX. Run through the processing again, this time using "Save After Each Step" option. We'll use these JPEGS to create the final video.Finally, go back to Photoshop and click File - Open. Click on the first photo in the StarStaX folder, then click the "Open Image Sequence" button. Now click "Open" and Photoshop will take all of those photos and convert them to a video file. I recommend 24 FPS. Feel free to add any Adjustment Layers you want to the video. I'd recommend a Curves, Vibrance, and a few Selective Colors. 00:00 - Intro01:04 - Camera RAW Processing08:04 - Test Photos for Problems10:13 - Remove Planes and Lights14:38 - Use StarStaX to Create Timelapse Photos16:36 - Fix remaining problems 19:42 - Create Timelapse Video25:58 - Outro
Triangulum Galaxy - Alternate Workflow with PixInsight Peter Zelinka 2022-10-14 | In my previous Triangulum Galaxy DSLR workflow we started off in Bridge and Camera RAW. This allowed us to fix the Exposure, White Balance, Vignette, Color Noise, and more. Then we saved those images as TIFFs and stacked them. In this Alternate Workflow we'll be stacking the RAW data first. This will be a better choice if you are taking calibration frames. You always want to stack the RAW Lights, Darks, Flats, etc... After we've stacked our RAW photos with the calibration frames, we'll head over to PixInsight. There's a very powerful tool called "ScreenTransferFunction" that can fix both the Exposure and color cast with a single click!When the image has been properly stretched you may start to notice more problems. Since I did not take any calibration frames, my stacked image still has a noticeable vignette and a slight amp glow. While there are ways to fix this in PixInsight, I prefer something easier.GradientXterminator is a paid plugin for Photoshop that does a wonderful job removing DSLR amp glow, light pollution, and vignette gradients. You can download it here:rc-astro.com/resources/GradientXTerminatorWe can use GradientXterminator to quickly fix the vignette, without dealing with the complicated PixInsight workflow.The next step of the workflow involves removing the stars. I recommend StarNet 2, which you can download here:starnetastro.com/downloadStarNet 2 is available both as a standalone application and a plugin for PixInsight. I find that the PixInsight version has more functionality and is ultimately easier to use. StarNet can even create a Star Mask image, which will come in handy later.There is a major flaw with this alternate workflow though, and that is the Color Noise. In my standard workflow, this Color Noise is automatically removed at the very start in Camera RAW. We never even have to think about it. Since we stacked the RAW data today though (and I didn't incorporate any calibration frames) the Color Noise is baked into the stacked image. I'd recommend watching some other YouTuber's for more information on removing color noise in PixInsight. I don't have enough experience yet with the software to show a fast, easy way to remove the color noise. So I'll leave that to someone else.00:00 - Intro00:32 - Stack RAW data with Calibration Frames1:33 - Fix Exposure in PixInsight02:16 - Fix Color Cast in PixInsight03:19 - Apply Changes to Histogram04:55 - Save Image and Open in Photoshop05:33 - GradientXterminator07:29 - StarNet 2 in PixInsight09:37 - Star Reduction in Photoshop13:17 - Enhance Galaxy Details14:29 - Combine Images15:31 - Color Noise Problems...16:47 - Outro
Edit the Triangulum Galaxy - DSLR Workflow Peter Zelinka 2022-10-12 | In this video I'll take you through one of my DSLR workflows. We'll keep it fairly simple, but this should be good for both beginner and intermediate photographers. For more information, check out my Deep Space Course on howtube:howtube.com/series/eUVHB9fI00:00 - Intro00:53 - Camera RAW Processing09:36 - Stack Photos11:11 - Analyzing the Image12:55 - Curves Adjustments14:57 - Crop15:31 - StarNet17:29 - Enhance Galaxy Structure20:28 - Star Reduction24:23 - Combine Stars with StarNet26:30 - Remove Grain & Final Processing
Meridian Flip Tutorial | ZWO AM5 + ASIAir Peter Zelinka 2022-10-10 | The "Meridian" is an imaginary line that goes directly overhead from North to South. A "Meridian Flip" is where your mount will automatically rotate your camera and telescope once the object you are photographing crosses the meridian. Without the meridian flip, your telescope and camera would go below horizontal, and continue to rotate towards the ground. It's possible that the camera could run into a tripod leg, or even the ground, if the mount keeps rotating all night long. Therefore, most Go-To Mounts have automated Meridian Flips, although you may need to configure it in your image acquisition software.For those with the ZWO AM5 Mount, it's important to know that it will automatically stop rotating once the object you are photographing reaches the meridian. The mount is smart enough to know that if it rotates any further, it's entering the "danger zone". This can be problematic though, if you fall asleep and didn't have the meridian flip enabled. Since the mount is no longer tracking, all of your photos will be blurry.For more information, check out my Deep Space Course on howtube:howtube.com/series/eUVHB9fI00:00 - Understanding the Meridian02:04 - ASIAir Meridian Test04:14 - Meridian Flip Settings06:03 - AM5 Special Note07:02 - Outro
ASIAir Plus - DSLR Workflow Peter Zelinka 2022-10-07 | If you've got a Nikon or Canon camera, then you can use your ASIAir to control the entire workflow at night. (Unfortunately Sony cameras are still not supported)The main reason you'd want to use this workflow is for the Sky Atlas feature. Assuming you have a Go-To Mount, you can quickly find any nebula or galaxy in the night sky. Plus, you'll see the composition before ever taking a photo! This will really speed things up.Another benefit of this workflow is that you can monitor the images in real-time. If you notice some blurry stars, you can head outside and fix the problem. Without the ASIAir, you have no idea what's going on with the camera until you stop the interval and inspect the photos on the back LCD screen.For more information, including links to all the products I mentioned, visit my howtube channel:howtube.com/channels/PeterZelinka00:00 - Intro01:34 - Initial Setup & Cables02:43 - Auto-Guider Configuration05:27 - Get DSLR Ready07:11 - Connect to ASIAir App08:37 - Main Camera Settings09:05 - Take First Photo & Plate Solve10:15 - Polar Alignment12:28 - Find Object with Sky Atlas14:45 - Focus Lens16:25 - Begin Guiding & Dither Settings18:36 - Shooting Schedule21:40 - Take First Image22:18 - Stop and Refocus23:54 - Outro
Stack FITs on Mac with ASI Studio Peter Zelinka 2022-07-17 | In this video I'll teach you how to use a free program - ASI Studio to stack your dedicated astro camera's FITS files. ASI Studio has come a long way over the years, and it now includes a Deep Sky Stack program. This is very easy to use, although it is lacking some important features. Since Mac users don't have access to DeepSkyStacker, and StarrySkyStacker can't read FITS files, you'll want to use ASI Studio for your stacking.After we've stacked the FITS files, I'll do a quick Photoshop tutorial and show you how to create a beautiful color image.To learn more, check out my Deep Space Course on howtube.com:howtube.com/channels/PeterZelinka#tab_video_seriesYou can find the ASI Studio program here:astronomy-imaging-camera.com/software-driversStarNet can be found here:starnetastro.com/download00:00 - Intro00:33 - Download ASI Studio01:00 - Stack Photos in Deep Stack07:06 - Create Color Photo08:51 - Align Stars10:15 - Fix Color Cast11:23 - Fix Contrast12:07 - StarNet15:54 - Add Stars back16:45 - Topaz DeNoise19:17 - Final Touches20:35 - Outro
ZWO AM5 - Full Tutorial & Review Peter Zelinka 2022-07-15 | The AM5 is pretty easy to use, especially if you have an ASIAir. In this video I'll show you the initial setup process, then we'll go through my entire ASIAir workflow. To read my full review, and get direct links to all the accessories, cables, and products in this video, head over to howtube.com:howtube.com/1358800:00 - Intro01:03 - EQ6R Comparison04:25 - Setup10:44 - AM5 App Overview13:20 - ASIAir Workflow15:24 - Polar Alignment18:57 - Find Object with Sky Atlas21:11 - Test Photo22:12 - Guiding & Shooting Schedule26:36 - Begin Taking Photos29:14 - Outro
2022 Course Updates - Over 120 New Tutorials Available Now! Peter Zelinka 2022-05-31 | howtube.com/channels/PeterZelinkaIn February 2022 I began updating all of my courses - the Deep Space Course, Star Trails Course, and my Star Tracker Courses. I'm excited to announce that they are finally complete and available on Howtube.com!If you've already purchased any of my courses, you'll get free access to the latest versions! Just sign up for a free account on Howtube using the same email address that you originally purchased my course(s) with. They will be automatically added to your account.Howtube is a website dedicated to learning new hobbies. I've been working directly with their team over the past few months to make sure the website has all the necessary features.For example, below each video there's an "Additional Information" tab. I've written out a full description (usually 5,000 - 7,000 words!) for all 170+ videos! You can print these out and take them with you, or save them as PDFs and refer back to them as needed.Another feature is the "Products" tab. I've gotten hundreds of comments and emails over the years, asking for arca-swiss clamps, cables, and other accessories I use in my videos. To make both our lives easier, you can now find direct links to all the relevant products I use under each video. I've also enabled Downloads for my tutorials. You can download any video you want, save it to your smartphone / tablet, and watch out in the field. No internet connection required!If you're a fellow content creator, then you might want to check out Howtube's Pro subscription. Once you sign up, you can begin selling your own courses, merchandise, and more. Based on my experience over the past few years, Howtube makes the entire process much easier!From now until June 15th I'm offering a $100 discount on my brand new Milky Way Course. You can check it all out using the link below:howtube.com/channels/PeterZelinka00:00 - Intro1:18 - Free Updates2:31 - Howtube Features4:30 - The Milky Way Course7:49 - Creating your own Courses
ASI 533MM Test & ASIAir Sky Atlas Peter Zelinka 2022-05-22 | ZWO sent over a new ASI 533MM for me to test out, and luckily I had my first clear night in 4 months! During my tests, I learned that ZWO also released a new firmware update for the ASIAir. This new version includes a feature I've been looking forward to for years!The Sky Atlas is an interactive map that shows you the current FOV of your telescope + camera. This allows you to quickly frame up various nebulae and galaxies, and get an idea of how they'll look before you take a photo. The Sky Atlas can also move the Go-To mount to any region of the sky. This is a fun way to explore the night sky, test your compositions, and control your mount, all within the ASIAir app.After testing out the 533MM, I found that it did a pretty good job! I was honestly a bit skeptical about the "No Amp Glow", after having that problem with every ZWO camera so far. However, as you'll see, the new 533MM has 0 Amp Glow, just as advertised!Beyond that, my only concern with the 533MM is the 1" square sensor. The 1" sensor is very small, giving you a 2.7x magnification for any focal length. I used the WO RedCat 51 telescope, which has a focal length of 250mm. When I pair the 533 with the RedCat, my new effective focal length is almost 700mm! If I was able to use my Tamron 150-600mm G1 lens with this camera (I can't due to the lens' aperture design), I'd have 1,620mm of effective focal length! This brings us to the ASI 183MM. A lot of people emailed me over the years asking about this camera. Since it had a 1" sensor, it should pair well with the smaller telescopes like the RedCat or the Radian Raptor. I had never used the 183MM, so I didn't have much practical advice. ZWO is currently marketing the new 533MM as the successor to the 183MM, as well as a good entry-level dedicated astro camera. While I like the magnification factor of the 1" sensor, I'm not a big fan of the 1x1 square crop. I prefer the more rectangular crop of a Full Frame or Crop Sensor. This makes it easier to show in videos (16x9), print out, or post online. The 1x1 square just doesn't work well for sharing, unless you're posting on Instagram. Again, this is all just my personal opinion. You might not care about the 1x1 ratio. Or, maybe you can utilize it for some high-res panoramas of the night sky!All things considered, the ASI 533MM does a good job, especially when paired with a small telescope. It has good low-light performance, no amp glow, a reasonable price (~$1,000), and it pairs perfectly with the ASIAir. Click the link below to more about the Deep Space Course, which has over 90 videos that will guide you through the entire process!peterzelinka.com/tutorials00:00 - Intro00:21 - ASI 533MM Overview02:29 - ASIAir Sky Atlas05:04 - Capturing my Images05:33 - ASI 533MM Image Review08:21 - Outro
Catastrophe and Cartography - The Final Frontier Peter Zelinka 2022-04-05 | Join me for an exciting adventure through the solar system!In this video, we'll go for a flight through the Outer Wilds. Along the way, I'll discuss some ideas I've been kicking around for the past few years. Recommended Videos:howtube.com/13227 - my Great Year 2.0 videoyoutu.be/KuVIiFe_pG8 - Randall Carlson - Peshtigo Fireyoutu.be/NxLLZb96_mU - RC - Descent of Cosmic Fireyoutu.be/f2s_2Tl3HBE - RC - Epoch Ellipseyoutu.be/1TCIHM6C7-k - RC - Freak Firestormsyoutu.be/11IujPVv8ys - TBS - Fire from the SkyYou can download Outer Wilds here:mobiusdigitalgames.com/outer-wilds.html
Catastrophe and Cartography - Cataracts Peter Zelinka 2022-04-04 | With the help of Google Earth, we can explore dozens of waterfalls around the world. Niagara Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls, and we'll be using it as our starting point today.One of the defining features of Niagara Falls is the "horseshoe" shape, also called a "Cataract". We'll see similar cataracts throughout our journey today.Potholes Coulee, in the Scablands of eastern Washington, has two very large extinct cataracts. These were formed during the melt-down of the ice sheets during the Younger Dryas (12,900 - 11,600 years ago). As the intense sheet floods raced over the landscape, they carved out the cataracts in just a few weeks. Speaking of accelerated erosion, we have Canyon Lake Gorge in Texas. Canyon Lake Gorge was formed in 2002, when a storm dropped over 34 inches of rain in just a few days. This caused the dam at Canyon Lake to burst, and sent catastrophic floods down the valley. Based on the erosion seen at Canyon Lake Gorge, we now know for certain that landscapes can be eroded much faster than mainstream science was willing to admit. This proves that canyons can be formed in days!We are currently in a calm, minimally erosive phase. This is especially true in the deserts of Utah. The current rate of erosion is one drop of water, one grand of sand at a time. There may be an occasional flash-flood, but the desert landscapes have been pretty well preserved due to the lack of rainfall in the past few thousand years. However, there are times of accelerated erosion, as our planet shifts from a glacial to interglacial climate. Based on current research, there have been ~20 of these transitions in the past 2.6 million years.As we ponder this series of events, we realize that there must be a massive influx of energy to the planet. How else would all that ice melt? This is known as the "Energy Paradox". There are a few possible explanations - increased volcanism, increased solar output, change in the earth's orbital inclination, impact events. Here's my hypothesis:While the planet is going through the transition from glacial to interglacial, there are mega-storms forming across the world. These mega-storms could stay over one large area for an extended time. This causes severe erosion, like what we saw in Canyon Lake Gorge, but orders-of-magnitude larger. After the planet stabilizes, the erosion slows down to our present-day rates. This minimal erosion helps to preserve the scars left behind. The Canyonlands in Utah were mainly formed during these brief, but extreme, storms. I'm not suggesting that the Canyonlands were formed in one event. More likely, they are the result of the 20+ transitions from glacial to inter-glacial during the last 2.6 million years. It's possible that all of the sandstone that was washed away ultimately ended up in present-day Mexico, where we can find large tracts of sand dunes. (All that sandstone had to go somewhere, after all)For more information, check out these videos:youtu.be/fpeK_IrP1zQ - Randall Carlson - Southwest Erosionyoutu.be/haf_PJSASgE?t=1245 - Randall Carlson - Death Valleyyoutu.be/9NuIk0gZMzk - Potholes Couleeyoutu.be/9xJa8a3uaws - Niagara Falls Droneyoutu.be/7mCYP_s52PQ - Canyon Lake Gorgeyoutu.be/CZeXK1UiRZ8 - White Rim / Canyonlands00:00 - Niagara Falls02:37 - Snoqualmie Falls04:26 - Iguazu Falls05:28 - Potholes Coulee 07:06 - Canyon Lake Gorge08:22 - Upheaval Dome Controversy09:15 - White Rim Cataracts 13:10 - Corona Arch14:37 - Goosenecks & Monument Valley16:12 - Following the Floods17:12 - Recap
Catastrophe and Cartography - Carolina Bays Peter Zelinka 2022-02-11 | The Carolina Bays are a collection of thousands of elliptical depressions that cover the southeastern United States, from Mississippi to New Jersey. With the help of LIDAR technology, we can now see these Carolina Bays in high resolution in Google Earth. As usual, there is a big controversy regarding the creation of the Carolina Bays. The mainstream opinion usually attributes their creation to a combination of wind and water erosion. Basically, lakes were formed a long time ago, and through the slow process of wind acting on the lake water, the elliptical shape was formed. Similar lakes are found up in Russia and Canada today, near the north pole. These are called "thermokarst lakes". (If you use Google Earth to view them, they are pretty fascinating!)However, as you study the unique circumstances surrounding the Carolina Bays, the mainstream view does not hold up under scrutiny. Hence, a new theory was proposed, chiefly by Antonio Zamora. He argues that the Carolina Bays were caused by chunks of ice raining down from the atmosphere, after a comet impacted the Laurentide Ice Sheet over the Saginaw Bay area roughly 12,900 years ago. If a comet were to hit the ice sheet at a low angle, then it could have launched millions of chunks of ice into the atmosphere. Upon re-entry, these ice chunks would have landed all throughout the Southeastern United States. Since they are relatively soft, being made of ice (not rock), they would then create the elliptical craters on the unconsolidated ground, but not on the rocky terrain.Others have proposed a comet / asteroid exploding in mid-air. The resulting fragments would shower the region and create the elliptical bays. If the Carolina Bays were created in a catastrophic event, this would help to explain the sudden extinction of the megafauna in North America during the Younger Dryas.** Be sure to Right Click and "Open in New Tab" for all the links below!If you'd like to explore the Carolina Bays in LIDAR, you'll need the standalone version of Google Earth:google.com/earth/download/gep/agree.html?hl=en-GBHere's the link for the KMZ file to be used in Google Earth:http://cbaysurvey.cintos.org** After you've downloaded the KMZ file, launch Google Earth. Go to File - Open... then choose the KMZ file. The Carolina Bays filter should now be active!Antonio Zamora's YouTube Channel:youtube.com/c/AntonioZamora-Carolina-BaysRecommended Videos:youtu.be/8BqgJUo3QPw - Carolina Bays Liquefaction - Antonio Zamorayoutu.be/wr8mesSiApg - Carolina Bays Timeframe - Antonio Zamorayoutu.be/u9dQEg45Ty0 - Ice Impacts - Antonio Zamorayoutu.be/Q0MsB8pN1uY - Younger Dryas Impact - Antonio Zamorayoutu.be/Q60IHvnzI4w - Carolina Bays Review w/ Randall Carlsonyoutu.be/LRmjTtm1ttU - Megafauna Extinction w/ Randall Carlsonyoutu.be/UWD4Z4c976s - Overkill Hypothesisyoutu.be/w-U1Nnsxdk8 - Carolina Bays Research Part 1youtu.be/ISpnWg5txM0 - Carolina Bays Research Part 2youtu.be/4l2WoBJvUjI - Carolina Bays Research Part 3Recommended Articles:http://cintos.org/CarolinaBays/index.html - Enigmatic Carolina Baysscience.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/carolina-bays.htm - Mainstream Opinionbooks.google.com/books?id=uH7_DAAAQBAJ&lpg=PT57&ots=CiJ2SataWr&dq=otto%20muck%20carolina%20bays&pg=PT57&fbclid=IwAR3w_gCi3oNqDLQckEzAshXPw0kGJKZKefLUzQV9_7vY1WhYvK1pTk7Cx2A#v=onepage&q&f=true - Secrets of the Carolina Bayshttps://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2007AGUSMPP42A..05H/abstract - Evidence for Extraterrestrial Impactsciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210216083102.htm#:~:text=A%20new%20study%20suggests%20that,their%20entrance%20into%20the%20Americas.&text=But%20by%20around%2010%2C000%20years,known%20as%20megafauna%2C%20had%20disappeared. - Climate Change - Megafauna Extinctions Linkedpnas.org/content/117/46/28555 - Overkill and Glacial History00:00 - Intro01:18 - Carolina Bays Overview03:29 - How did they form?05:01 - When were they created?07:51 - Megafauna Extinction at Younger Dryas09:15 - Nebraska Rainwater Basins10:22 - Outro
Horsehead Nebula Processing Tutorial Peter Zelinka 2022-02-08 | This tutorial focuses on removing the stars, increasing the contrast and texture of the nebula, then adding the stars back in. You can download StarNet++ V2 here:sourceforge.net/projects/starnet/files/v2.0My practice TIFF file is available through Patreon:patreon.com/peterzelinka00:00 - Intro01:41 - Getting Ready02:11 - Color Noise Removal03:38 - My Gear04:30 - Remove Stars05:03 - StarNet++ V206:57 - Cleanup Artifacts08:45 - High Pass Filter12:00 - Texture and Clarity14:08 - Add Stars Back15:22 - Star Reduction19:16 - Outro
Catastrophe and Cartography - Ice Age Floods Visualized Peter Zelinka 2022-02-03 | Since we are covering numerous controversial topics in this video, I wanted to be sure and include lots of links for you to do your own research on. One of the most important points to keep in mind though, is that water and erosion are scale-invariant. In other words we can see the same shapes and patterns, but on radically different scales. The small current ripples that you see along the creek can be found at West Bar Ripples in Washington, but these are orders-of-magnitude larger! Here's the link for the USGS National Map Viewer. Remember, you want the "3DEP - Elevation Tinted Hillshade" filter:(Be sure to right-click and "Open in New Tab" for each link below)apps.nationalmap.gov/viewerRandall Carlson YouTube links:Drumlins:youtu.be/QKlmuEyBw3Y - Ep. 47 with Jerome Lesemannyoutu.be/NWlyfHtQRgs - Ep. 67 with Jerome Lesemannyoutu.be/30MUCh4s7oE - Ep. 53 Finger LakesBack-Floods:youtu.be/ffUvklVGC4g - Ep. 74 Opposite Flowsyoutu.be/lIGBIhOv9xU - Ep. 65 Back-FloodsIce Dams:youtu.be/QHF0sFpF4yA - Ep. 72 Glacier Dam Problemsyoutu.be/VQq0mzeLKOI - Ep. 71 Pressure & Glacial Damsyoutu.be/3Yd2F0x8ONs - Ep. 70 Immense Ice Damyoutu.be/QdzOXchh1DU - Ep. 68 Missoula Ice DamGlacial Lake Agassiz:youtu.be/cawrBvT1MHM - Antonio Zamora Flood videos:youtu.be/xhUenP-BjZw - Dry Falls Animationyoutu.be/ORJtxkuD62E - Johnson Canyon Flash Floodyoutu.be/IYbrqsLFySY - Ice Flow/Jam Footageyoutu.be/VbaNY0uCx4s - Water Rushes backRandall Trip Videos:youtu.be/kImPL2gfnxk - Channeled Scablands / AncientPresenceyoutu.be/3AJwlK2ZofY?t=274 - Southwest trip / SpencerVybesyoutu.be/1WsyUhMkcbU - Scablands / SpencerVybesWebsites:cometresearchgroup.orgscirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=71732http://geocosmicrex.com/holocene-mystery/ice-age-floodsphys.org/news/2017-06-collapse-european-ice-sheet-chaos.htmlglaciallakemissoula.org/the-big-picture.htmleos.org/features/dont-call-it-a-supervolcanocosmictusk.com/younger-dryas-impact-hypothesis-bibliography-and-paper-archive
ASIAir All-Sky Polar Alignment Tutorial Peter Zelinka 2022-01-28 | In the latest update for the ASIAir, ZWO included a beta feature called "All Sky Polar Alignment". This new technique allows you to aim the telescope up towards the southern sky, rather than towards Polaris. The ASIAir will then take 3 photos, slewing about 15 degrees between each frame. Once the software identifies how the stars have rotated between the three images, it will give you the total Polar Alignment Error. You can now adjust your azimuth and altitude adjustment screws on the base to get a perfect polar alignment.Based on my tests, the new All Sky Polar Alignment procedure is quite accurate, showing only a few arc-minutes of error when compared with the traditional polar alignment process.To be clear, the mount still needs to be pointed up towards Polaris to start. If you can't see Polaris, then just guess. As long as the mount is roughly pointed up towards Polaris, you should have no trouble using the new feature.If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot see Polaris, or the Northern sky very well, then this could be the perfect solution. Alternatively, if you live near the equator and have relied on doing a Drift Alignment, then this new All Sky Align may make your night a lot easier!
Fornax LighTrack II - Tutorial and Review Peter Zelinka 2022-01-12 | The Fornax LighTrack II is marketed as the most precise and accurate star tracker on the market. This is mainly due to the innovative friction drive, which offers much less periodic error than traditional star trackers. In this video I'll show you how to use the LighTrack II. It can be a bit difficult to figure out, even if you already use a star tracker. You can click the link below to read my full-length review:peterzelinka.com/blog/2022/1/fornax-lighttrack-ii-reviewLighTrack II & Accessories:ferventastronomy.com/Products/#!/LIGHTRACK-II/c/28890304Jackery Battery:jackery.com/products/explorer-240-portable-power-station12V DC Cable:amazon.com/SPARKING-2-1mm-Charger-Power-Supply/dp/B0746GPQH3/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3CUXJPNPSVV5S&keywords=dc+12v+cable+sparking&qid=1641857682&sprefix=dc+12v+cable+sparkin%2Caps%2C118&sr=8-2Tripod Hammock:amazon.com/Vanguard-SB-100-Stone-Bag/dp/B0051OGJQE/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=g64fs&pf_rd_p=29505bbf-38bd-47ef-8224-a5dd0cda2bae&pf_rd_r=XDTX4WD5Z6TB8E3HR9Y3&pd_rd_r=30e7ea79-a977-479f-b9f6-bbad4f865d8b&pd_rd_wg=A8BfR&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_mWilliam Optics Dovetail Plate:agenaastro.com/william-optics-dual-sided-vixen-arca-swiss-210mm-dovetail-plate-red-m-prc210rd.html00:00 - Intro00:57 - Attach dovetail plate to LighTrack2:07 - Fornax Design3:25 - Powering the LighTrack4:48 - Tracking Speeds, Hemisphere, Slew buttons6:40 - Attach a Ballhead7:51 - Polar Alignment Basics8:26 - Polar Scopes11:28 - Polar Alignment Tips12:55 - Attaching your Camera14:28 - Find, Compose, and Focus 17:11 - Laser Pointers 19:04 - Camera Settings23:16 - Auto-Guiders23:58 - Final Review
Dithering with the ASIAir Plus & EQ6-R Pro Peter Zelinka 2021-10-14 | Dithering is a great way to reduce walking noise patterns and color mottle from your astrophotography images. Provided you have an auto-guider, Go-To Mount, and the proper software (in this case the ASIAir), you can do dithering quite easily. Dithering just moves your camera and telescope very slightly in a random direction between each exposure. This random movement will help to remove distracting noise problems from your final image. Since the stars all need to be re-aligned during stacking, this should smooth out the color mottle splotches and walking noise patterns, leaving you with a noticeably cleaner image.00:00 - Intro1:06 - Go-To Setup5:04 - Focus Telescope06:16 - Polar Alignment07:58 - Plate Solve08:40 - Go-To Heart Nebula9:35 - Dithering11:55 - Begin Guiding13:04 - Camera Settings14:19 - Dither Test16:49 - Walking Noise & Color Mottle18:32 - Dither Comparison22:00 - Outro
Sequator Milky Way Stack Tutorial - 2021 Edition Peter Zelinka 2021-08-03 | In this video I'll explain my Milky Way workflow using Sequator, Camera RAW, and Photoshop.In order to follow along, you'll want 10 - 20 images of the Milky Way. These should be taken one-after-the-other, so the stars don't move too much between your first and last shot. First, we use Adobe Bridge to open our RAW images in Camera RAW. From there, we can apply some basic corrections and adjustments to the RAW images. Once the photos look good, we can save them as TIFF files. At that point, we're ready to stack the photos in Sequator. After the images have been stacked together, you can bring the final TIFF into Photoshop and begin the processing.You can download Sequator here:sites.google.com/view/sequatorTo learn more about astrophotography, check out my Astro Post Processing Course:peterzelinka.com/astrophotography-post-processing00:00 - Intro00:57 - Taking your Photos1:58 - Basic Edits in Camera RAW8:57 - Sequator Tutorial14:20 - Before/After Stack Comparison17:02 - Photoshop Workflow22:44 - Outro
Cleaner Drone Photos with Stacking Peter Zelinka 2021-07-16 | Stacking is a fairly well-known process to create cleaner images, whether you're using a DSLR, Drone, or any other camera. Rather than taking a single image, you should take between 5 - 20 (depending on your camera and the amount of light). The more photos you have, the cleaner the final image will be. Once you've captured your images, you can bring them into an application like Photoshop. Photoshop will easily align the images, and then stack them together to reduce noise and increase detail.I recommend shooting in RAW format on your camera, whenever possible. The RAW format (in this case DNG), will preserve more details and give you the most flexibility during the editing process. If you only have JPEG files, you can still follow this workflow, it just won't work as well.00:00 - Intro01:08 - Open Images02:11 - Take More Photos to Reduce Grain04:56 - Save TIFF files07:51 - Open TIFFs in Photoshop09:06 - Stack your Photos11:20 - Recap13:23 - Save Images14:36 - Final Words
DeepSkyStacker - Full Tutorial (2021 Edition) Peter Zelinka 2021-06-09 | This full walkthrough will teach you the basics of using DeepSkyStacker to stack your FITS or RAW files. We won't necessarily get into anything too complicated in this video, I'll basically just show you what's worked well for me over the past few years. If you want to just get a quick look at how to use the app, skip to 39:39You can download the application here:http://deepskystacker.free.fr/english/index.html00:00 - Intro00:50 - Import Photos03:33 - Register Photos09:55 - Choose Reference Frame12:15 - Stacking Photos16:58 - Dark Frames19:33 - Flat / Bias Frames22:09 - Save Picture23:25 - Recap25:06 - DSLR Workflow32:02 - My Preferred Workflow39:39 - Quick DSS Recap (TL;DW)42:34 - Final Comparison44:09 - Outro
StarSpikes Pro 4 - Overview Peter Zelinka 2021-06-05 | While I was bored today I stumbled upon StarSpikes Pro 4, a plugin for Photoshop that allows you to easily add star glow or spikes to your images. In this video I'll show you how it works, and give you some tips to get the best resultsHere's a link for the plugin, if you want to check it out:prodigitalsoftware.com/StarSpikesPro4.html
Telescope.Live - A Fun Way to Spend a Cloudy Night! Peter Zelinka 2021-05-18 | Telescope.Live is an online platform that allows you to control telescopes across the world. If you're like me, and tired of cloudy nights, this is a fun way to practice your editing skills, and see some new objects!You can sign up here for the 30-days free trial: bit.ly/2QSdxhFNew Telescope Live subscribers can also use my affiliate promo code to save 20% off for up to 12 months: PETZELYTIf you already have a Telescope.Live account, use this link to save 20% off an annual subscription:https://app.telescope.live/accountsettings?promo-code=PETZELYTIf you want to learn more about photo editing, check out my Patreon:patreon.com/peterzelinkaFinally, check out my Deep Space Course:peterzelinka.com/deep-space-course00:00 - Intro00:59 - Telescope.Live Basics5:28 - Advanced Features8:04 - Planetary Photography8:57 - Quick Stacking Tutorial11:13 - Create RGB Image in Photoshop13:54 - Basic Adjustments18:07 - Fix Hot Pixels19:47 - Outro
From IT to Astrophotography - How I Changed my Life Peter Zelinka 2021-04-07 | I highly recommend reading this book, the War of Art:blackirishbooks.com/product/the-war-of-artTo see more of David Kingham's work:davidkingham.comHere's Jimmy McIntyre's website:shutterevolve.comFinally, here's my website if you want to see more:peterzelinka.com
Edit the Rosette Nebula in 10 Minutes | Astro Challenge Peter Zelinka 2021-03-29 | If you're using a DSLR for astrophotography, you may be a bit overwhelmed by the thought of using a monochrome dedicated astro camera. I know I was. One of my goals with this video is to show that it's really quite easy to create a color photo. The only real downside of a mono camera is the expense of buying filters, and the increased shooting time required.Here's a link to the full 30 minute tutorial on the Rosette Nebula:youtu.be/I0Vq4MyMLUY00:00 - Intro00:46 - Begin Processing02:26 - Selective Color03:58 - Noise Reduction04:44 - Star Reduction05:44 - High Pass Filter07:06 - More Selective Color09:33 - Image Complete!09:48 - Comparison Time
EQ6R - Pro / ASIAir Pro | Full Workflow (Updated) Peter Zelinka 2021-03-12 | In this tutorial I'll show you how to control every function of your SkyWatcher EQ6R-Pro with the help of the ZWO ASIAir Pro. If you have a dedicated astro camera, filters, and auto-guider this workflow will allow you to control everything from your smartphone / tablet! No hand-controller required!00:00 - Intro00:25 - Connecting the Cables05:36 - Balance RA and Dec07:41 - ASIAir Pro Initial Setup15:16 - SkySafari Plus18:14 - Full Workflow 27:10 - Setup Auto-Guider32:07 - Outro
Kase Filters Bahtinov Mask Review Peter Zelinka 2021-03-12 | If you're having trouble focusing at night, a Bahtinov Mask can really help! While most Bahtinov Masks are made for telescopes, but Kase recently released some that are designed for DSLR lenses. They've got an 82mm and 77mm circular Bahtinov Mask, as well as a square 100mm option. Kase 82mm Filter:2filter.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/kase-82mm-magnetic-star-focusing-tool.htmlKase 77mm Filter:2filter.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/kase-77mm-magnetic-star-focusing-tool.htmlKase 100mm Filter:2filter.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/kase-100-x-100mm-star-focusing-tool.htmlFor more information, please read my article here:peterzelinka.com/blog/2021/3/kase-filters-bahtinov-mask-reviewYou can read Lonely Speck's Bahtinov Mask tutorial here:lonelyspeck.com/sharpstar00:00 - Intro01:00 - Kase Circular Bahtinov Mask9:06 - Kase Square Bahtinov Mask12:24 - Closer Look17:52 - Final Recommendations
Rosette Nebula Workflow - Narrowband Edit Peter Zelinka 2021-03-10 | In this video I'll show my full workflow for the Rosette Nebula in narrowband. I'm using DeepSkyStacker and Photoshop for most of this workflow. If you're on Mac, you can use StarrySkyStacker instead of DSS.00:00 - Stack FITS in DeepSkyStacker12:39 - File Organization13:07 - Photoshop Basics19:35 - Start Hubble Palette Workflow23:04 - Fix Color with Selective Color25:49 - Fix Grain/Color Noise27:33 - Star Reduction32:27 - High Pass Filter35:24 - Dodge the Nebula
Go-To Mount Lessons - Week 1 Peter Zelinka 2021-03-07 | In the first week of using a Go-To mount, I've already learned a lot! 00:00 - Intro00:28 - Dark Frames2:55 - RA & Dec Coordinates4:40 - Astrobin Saves the Day!6:27 - No ST4 Cable for Guiding7:11 - Electronic Focusers9:51 - Go To Mounts are Easy!
Star Tracker Buying Guide | 2021 Edition Peter Zelinka 2021-02-13 | For more information, be sure to read my extended article:peterzelinka.com/blog/2018/8/which-star-tracker-should-i-getIf you plan on getting a star tracker, check out my full-length star tracker courses:peterzelinka.com/tutorials00:00 - Intro1:27 - Go-To Mounts3:14 - MoveShootMove 9:02 - SkyGuider Pro13:47 - SkyGuider - iPolar16:01 - Star Adventurer23:23 - Star Adventurer 2i24:40 - Auto-Guiders25:58 - Final Recommendation28:26 - Star Tracker Courses
Big News! 2021 Astrophotography Plans Peter Zelinka 2021-02-04 | In honor of Steve Chestnut who made all of this possible. Also, thanks to his wife - Patricia, daughter - Melinda, and Adam. I can't wait to put all this great gear to use! Click the link below to visit Steve's wonderful gallery:stevechesnut.com
Easily View FITS files on both Windows & Mac - ASIStudio Peter Zelinka 2021-01-28 | In this video I'll show you how to easily view your FITS files on both Mac and Windows computers using the free ASIStudio:astronomy-imaging-camera.com/software-drivers
Auto-Guider Tutorial - SkyGuider Pro & Star Adventurer (2021 Edition) Peter Zelinka 2021-01-21 | In this video I'll explain how to buy, setup, and use an auto-guider for your SkyGuider Pro / Star Adventurer. If you have a Go-To mount, then this video may not be of much help. For more information, here's my article:peterzelinka.com/blog/2019/4/auto-guiding-with-the-skyguider-proIf you want to see how to connect an auto-guider to a DSLR's L-Bracket, watch this video:youtu.be/ZcxtdD5rQeQHere's a link to the ASIAir Pro bundle, which includes the 120MM Mini and 30mm f/4 guide scope that I use:agenaastro.com/zwo-asiair-pro-wi-fi-camera-controller-kit-with-asi120mm-mini-camera-30mm-f-4-mini-guide-scope-asiair-pro-kit2.html0:00 - Intro0:56 - Buying Guide9:20 - Setup Auto-Guider13:17 - PHD2 Overview22:03 - Auto-Guider Workflow23:01 - Guiding in PHD232:10 - PHD2 Recap33:22 - ASIAir Pro Guiding 38:29 - Outro
Finding Inspiration in Astrophotography Peter Zelinka 2021-01-10 | At some point in your astrophotography journey you may start to feel burnt-out, or disappointed by a lack of progress. When that happens, one thing that can really help is looking at photos other astrophotographers have taken. This can give you some new goals to strive towards, or maybe introduce you to a new object you want to try and photograph!Astrobin has a great catalogue of images from all over the world. By using the different search functions, you can find images that were taken with a similar setup to what you have. This will show what's possible (when you finally get a clear night!)If you want to save 10% off a membership, you can use the code: ZELINKA2021 or click the link below:astrobin.com/accounts/register/?r=ZELINKA2021
Star Tracker Blending Tutorial - Lumenzia Plugin Peter Zelinka 2021-01-06 | In this tutorial I'll show you how to use the Lumenzia luminosity mask software to blend your wide-angle Milky Way images.Generally, you want to take a ~4 minute exposure for your foreground, followed by a tracked ~4 minute exposure for the sky. You can always use different settings based on your camera's performance.Lumenzia link:gregbenzphotography.comAstro Post Processing Course:peterzelinka.com/tutorials0:00 - Intro 3:53 - Initial Edits6:26 - Align Layers9:07 - Lumenzia Overview13:23 - Refine Layer Mask22:21 - Verify Mask Looks Good24:25 - Shooting Tips
Astrophotography Made Easy - Part 4: Processing Peter Zelinka 2020-12-07 | *Here's a link for the TIFF file, so you can follow along in Photoshop:drive.google.com/file/d/1fXwOSWykZ0LviNcycG3OUbAE7jttnYN5/view?usp=sharingIn the final video of my Astro Made Easy Course, we'll go through the full post-processing workflow. I use a specialized workflow that's designed for modern DSLR/mirrorless cameras. This tends to give great results most of the time. However, there will be some cases where the more traditional workflow does a better job. For example, if you have an older DSLR that has a lot of sensor problems (banding, amp glow, color noise, etc...) then this workflow may exacerbate those problems. In your case, you'd want to try taking Dark, Flat, and Bias Frames. These calibration frames are designed to help subdue the sensor-related problems. For more information on processing, check out my Deep Space Course which has full-length tutorials for many different objects:peterzelinka.com/tutorialsStarry Sky Stacker:sites.google.com/site/starryskystacker/homeDeepSkyStacker:http://deepskystacker.free.fr/english/index.htmlSequator:sites.google.com/site/sequatorglobal00:00 - Intro1:15 - Initial Edits in Camera RAW13:40 - Stack Photos23:21 - Photoshop Intro25:38 - Levels Adjustment28:40 - Curves Adjustments34:49 - Cropping36:09 - Selective Color42:27 - Camera RAW Adjustments46:03 - Fix Gradients48:42 - Save Final Image
Astrophotography Made Easy - Part 3: Setup Peter Zelinka 2020-12-06 | In this video I show my full setup process for deep space astrophotography. The basic workflow is - Find a suitable shooting location, find Polaris, do a Polar Alignment, attach camera gear, balance your equipment and counterweights, re-do Polar Alignment, find the object, focus the lens, dial in camera settings, begin shooting.2020 Counterweight Balancing video:youtu.be/F4QxvZmdavcFor more information on setting up your star tracker, be sure to check out my full-length courses. These go into a lot more detail than I can in this single video. I'll cover different workflows you can use, depending on your skill level, and how to take your star tracker to the next level using an auto-guider.peterzelinka.com/tutorials00:00 - Intro00:35 - Find Shooting Location03:39 - Polar Scope FAQ06:16 - Polar Alignment14:47 - Balance Counterweight21:27 - Double-Check Polar Alignment23:06 - Finding your Object30:19 - Camera Settings36:25 - Recap
Astrophotography Made Easy - Part 2: Planning Peter Zelinka 2020-12-06 | If you want to get great astro photos, you'll need to do a bit of planning. The main things to consider are - the position of the moon, where your object will be at in the sky, how much light pollution you have to contend with, what focal length you'll need, when does twilight begin, and will you have clear skies?peterzelinka.com/blog/2019/12/pairing-a-camera-with-a-telescope-/-lensStellarium:http://stellarium.orgThe Photographer's Ephemeris:photoephemeris.comLight Pollution Map:lightpollutionmap.infoTelescopius:telescopius.com00:00 - Stellarium09:33 - Light Pollution Map14:36 - The Photographer's Ephemeris17:29 - Telescopius
Astrophotography Made Easy - Part 1: Gear Peter Zelinka 2020-12-02 | *Articles*Which Star Tracker Should I Get:peterzelinka.com/blog/2018/8/which-star-tracker-should-i-getLight Pollution Filter Review:peterzelinka.com/blog/2019/8/light-pollution-filters-for-astrophotographyChoosing a Camera/Lens:peterzelinka.com/blog/2019/12/pairing-a-camera-with-a-telescope-/-lens*Camera Gear*Nikon D780:bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1538572-REG/nikon_d780_dslr_camera.htmlCanon EOS R:bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1433710-REG/canon_eos_r_mirrorless_digital.htmlSkyGuider Pro Star Tracker:bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1332922-REG/ioptron_3550_skyguider_pro_camera_mount.htmlStar Adventurer Star Tracker:bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1604032-REG/sky_watcher_s20512_star_adventurer_pro_pack.html?sts=pi&pim=YVello Shutterboss II Remote:bhphotovideo.com/c/product/840100-REG/Vello_rc_n2ii_Shutterboss_Version_II_Timer.htmlFeisol CT-3442 Tripod:bhphotovideo.com/c/product/848831-REG/FEISOL_CT_3442_Tournament_CT_3442_Rapid_Tripod.html?sts=pi&pim=YAdobe Photoshop:adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html0:00 Intro1:17 Choose your Camera9:14 Choose a Lens / Telescope13:10 Camera Sensor Size and Focal Length15:26 Choose a Star Tracker / Mount20:33 Tripods23:50 Light Pollution Filters27:38 Post Processing Software
Photoshop Sky Replacement | Milky Way Photography Peter Zelinka 2020-10-25 | A new Sky Replacement tool was included in the 2021 update for Adobe Photoshop. In this video, I'll show how well it works and compare the final results to the traditional method of using Luminosity Masks.To learn more about astrophotography, check out my tutorials:peterzelinka.com/tutorials
Edit the Milky Way in 10 Minutes | Astro Challenge Peter Zelinka 2020-10-14 | In this weeks video I'll show you how to edit the Milky Way, and blend a foreground + tracked sky exposure in just 10 minutes! For more information, check out my tutorials on my website:peterzelinka.com/tutorials
Edit Andromeda Galaxy in 10 Minutes | Astro Challenge Peter Zelinka 2020-10-08 | Today we are going to see how easy it can be to edit the Andromeda Galaxy using typical photography software - Camera RAW/Lightroom and Photoshop! For more information, be sure to check out my tutorials:peterzelinka.com/tutorials
Attach your Guide Scope to a DSLR Peter Zelinka 2020-10-01 | In this video I explain how I attach my ZWO 30mm f/4 guide scope to my DSLR. Arca Swiss Clamp:amazon.com/Neewer-Aluminium-Compatible-Wimberley-Manfrotto/dp/B00KYEO70Q/ref=pd_bxgy_img_3/144-7201223-2789728?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00KYEO70Q&pd_rd_r=64d5b888-caa7-4880-81c6-dc9fb42a3e36&pd_rd_w=M6SMG&pd_rd_wg=A2zCb&pf_rd_p=ce6c479b-ef53-49a6-845b-bbbf35c28dd3&pf_rd_r=Y08R0QW599VC9TAKBW4V&psc=1&refRID=Y08R0QW599VC9TAKBW4VL Bracket:kirkphoto.com/camera-mounting.htmlHuskie Hex Key Set:homedepot.com/p/Husky-SAE-Metric-Folding-Hex-Key-Set-With-Bonus-Torx-Set-3-Piece-HFHK3PCSET/205300307ZWO 30mm f/4 Guide Scope:agenaastro.com/zwo-30-f-4-mini-guide-scope-for-asi-cameras-31020.htmlZWO ASI 120MM Mini Auto-Guider:agenaastro.com/zwo-asi120mm-mini-cmos-monochrome-astronomy-imaging-camera.html
