Actual Astronomy - PiFinder

Hosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. [email protected] Today we have a guest joining us, Richard Wolf-Jacobson who is the founder of BB Labs/ PiFinder which is a new type of finder device. https://www.pifinder.io/   Before we get going Richard, can you tell us about where you are / observe / how you got started in Astronomy, what your interests are and what equipment you use?   * What is a Pi Finder? * How does it work? / How do you set it up? * Do you need to attach anything to your AltAz or Dec Axis? * What is plate solving..isn't that just for imagers?  * How accurate is it?    * What camera is in the device? Can someone do anything with the images? Do they get exported out to one's phone?    * How did you come up with the PiFinder    * I see it is Open Source - what makes it open source? How can people modify it? Can someone roll their own?    * What databases are in there? Can someone add their own? Can it interface with SkySafari or other softwares?    * What formats does it come in or is it one size fits all?       * Can one change from a back view to a side view to take it from a refractor to a dob. *Does it interface with Smart Phone?    * How does it perform in the cold?    * How small a scope can it go onto?    * What are your future plans?   We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.  Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can! Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!  Every bit helps! Thank you! ------------------------------------ Do go visit http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness! http://cosmoquest.org/Donate This show is made possible through your donations.  Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!) ------------------------------------ The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http://www.psi.edu Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at [email protected].