Actual Astronomy - PiFinder

Hosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com

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?

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