Sea Lake Astro Fest: A Deep-Space Side Quest

Sea Lake Astro Fest 2025 turned into one of those deep-space side quests that takes over your whole weekend in the best way possible.

I was lucky enough to help out again this year, MC’ing the talks, running the science Q&A panel, hosting the pub quiz, and volunteering at the Lake Tyrrell public viewing night.

But the real highlight wasn’t the microphone or the schedule, it was watching people experience the night sky together. The curiosity, the first-time telescope reactions, the quiet “wow” moments… that’s what this festival is all about.

Somewhere in between all that, I squeezed in a final astrophotography session with Krista before she headed back to America, one last night of star chasing together after years of shared sky adventures.

Sea Lake Astro Fest isn’t about any one person. It’s about sharing the universe with anyone who shows up with a sense of wonder.

And this year delivered that and more.

#SeaLakeAstroFest #AstroFest #Astrophotography #Stars #NightSky #MilkyWay #DeepSky #DeepSpace #Astronomy #SpacePhotography #AstroPhotography #AstroCommunity #Cosmos #Galaxies #ScienceFestival #ScienceCommunication #STEM #SciComm #SpaceNerd #SpaceLovers #Telescopes #Stargazing #Nebula #AstroLife #ExploreTheUniverse #UniverseToday #Skywatching

https://youtu.be/rFDSStg4mY8

From Vegemite Rockets to Space Robots (IAC 2025)

I went to IAC 2025 thinking it would be a normal space conference. It was not. Within five days I saw a jar of Vegemite that literally went on a rocket, got trapped in an elevator with a disco ball and music, had my AstroBoy shirt turned into art by an astro artist, and accidentally ended up interviewing some of the biggest brains in the space industry.

They shut down an entire street in Sydney for opening night, I climbed through the CSIRO mobile command station like an excited child, met lunar rover designers, and spoke to RMIT students who casually launched a cubesat into orbit.

This was the wildest event I’ve ever been to — and I was NOT prepared.

#IAC2025 #SpaceIndustry #SpaceConference #AerospaceEngineering #NewSpace #CommercialSpace #SpaceTech #SpaceInnovation

#Astronomy #SpaceExploration #SpaceNews #Astrophotography #Stargazing #NASA #ESA #RocketLaunch #SpaceNerd #SpaceCommunity #FutureOfSpace #MoonMission #MarsMission #ScienceYouTube #STEM #Engineering #TechInnovation #BehindTheScenes #Interviews #Vlog #CreatorLife

Organisations

Open Cosmos - https://www.open-cosmos.com/
CSIRO - https://www.csiro.au/en/
Australian Astronomical Optics - https://aao.org.au/
NH Micro - https://www.nhmicro.com/
Southern Launch Space - https://www.southernlaunch.space/
Australian Space Agency - https://www.space.gov.au/
Gilmour Space - https://www.gspace.com/
Stella Engineering - https://stellaengineering.com.au/
Astrea Technologies - https://astrea.com.au/
RMIT University - https://www.rmit.edu.au/
Mawson Rovers - https://mawsonrovers.com/

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/mxIYTAsMOP0

When boredom strikes on a Saturday night… look up!
Track satellites (and space junk!) in real-time with this free site I just discovered.
Perfect for families when the kids “aren’t tired yet”—it keeps them curious and helps them wind down.

Find out more below!

#SpaceNerd #SaturdayNightFun #Satellites #SpaceDebris #BedtimeHack #IttyBitty4Life #familyfun #familytime #coolstuff #space

http://ittybitty4life.com/2025/09/06/saturday-night-fun-track-satellites-in-real-time-with-satellitetracker3d/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Just pushed a weekend side project to GitHub — a little tool that turns satellite data into pixel art 🌌🛰️. Because why not mix code, space, and creativity? Open source for the win! #OpenSource #SpaceNerd #DevLife

Just pushed a weekend side project to GitHub — a little tool that turns satellite data into pixel art 🌌🛰️. Because why not mix code, space, and creativity? Open source for the win! #OpenSource #SpaceNerd #DevLife

🚀 Just spent my weekend building a tiny open-source Mars rover simulator in Python.
Why? Because sleep is overrated and Mars is calling.
Code ➡️ [GitHub link]
#OpenSource #Python #SpaceNerd #SciFiVibes #TheTechieExplorer

My 3D Printer Thinks I’m an Idiot (Telescope Edition)

I set out to 3D print a simple collimator sleeve for my Takahashi telescope. Easy, right? Wrong. My first three attempts were complete disasters — warped, cracked, and just plain useless. By the time I hit attempt number four, I was questioning my life choices (and my 3D printer’s opinion of me). Watch me fumble through failure after failure in true DIY fashion.

https://youtu.be/sDVQ7yJAoRI

#3DPrinting #Telescope #Takahashi #Makerspace #DIYFails #AstroMaker #3DAstronomy #DIYAstronomy #TelescopeMods #MakerLife #MakersGonnaMake #DIY #PrintFail #FilamentFrenzy #PrintLife #Astronomy #Telescope #Stargazing #Astrophotography #SpaceNerd #NightSky #DeepSky #Observatory #Cosmos #StarParty

Saw the real (relocated) Titan II SLV & launch room, among many other cool things at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. Even the floor tiles are original. Countdown & launch audio and video really made it. Very cool to see.

#spacenerd #tothemoon

This $10 3D Print Saved My $10000 Telescope Setup

My Takahashi telescope and ZWO autofocuser? Not speaking. Totally incompatible. So I did what any overly caffeinated space nerd would do: I fired up the 3D printer and manifested an adapter out of thin air and PLA.

Did it work? Somehow, yes. Did I measure anything properly? No. But now the focuser talks to the telescope like they’re old friends—probably trauma bonded.

One $10 part. One $10000 rig. One dangerously false sense of engineering confidence. 🔧🧠🔭

#3DPrinting #TelescopeHack #Astrophotography #ZWO #Takahashi #SpaceNerd #DIYFix #AdapterBuild #ObservatoryLife #AstronomyGear #EngineeringFails #ScienceVlog #TelescopeSetup #BudgetFix #PrintAndPray #Autofocus #SpaceProblems #TelescopeMount #NightSkyTools

https://youtu.be/Wan3zZivpvc

I had a simple dream: put two giant telescopes on one mount and become a god-tier astrophotographer.

What actually happened: I may have created a gravitational threat to local infrastructure and possibly broke a guide camera I dropped before even powering anything on.

This video has it all — reckless optimism, questionable engineering, emotional damage, and way too many bolts.

Enjoy this tale of ambition, imbalance, and the moment my mount silently begged for mercy. 🔭🧠💥

#Telescope #Astrophotography #ObservatoryLife #SpaceNerd #GuideScope #MountFail #DIYObservatory #AstronomyLife #Celestron #ScopeSetup #DeepSky #RyanTrahanStyle #ScienceVlog #EngineeringGoneWrong #Stargazing #ScopeProblems #Astrogear #TelescopeFails #StarsAndRegret

https://youtu.be/P2RL-4UEYZM

Moranghurk: Where Sleep Goes to Die and Stars Judge You

Moranghurk Star Party 2025 was two nights of full-on space madness in the middle of nowhere — tiny guest list, giant telescopes, and skies so big they made my brain short-circuit.

I slept like a confused possum, stared deep into galaxies that lowkey judge me, and definitely cried (no shame) at how insane space is. Zero rain, zero broken gear, just pure cosmic chaos and bush vibes on steroids.

If you want your brain melted by the universe while eating snags in the dirt, Moranghurk is your kinda weird. 🌌🔥🔭💥

#Astronomy #StarParty #Space #Telescope #Astrophotography #NightSky #Stargazing #SpaceVibes #Australia #BushCamping #Cosmos #Science #SpaceExploration #Universe #TravelVlog #Adventure #Wilderness #Moranghurk #NightPhotography #AstroCommunity #SpaceNerd #CampingLife #ExploreMore #Unplugged #DigitalDetox

https://youtu.be/7DvlXvgeI6g

Certified Telescope Mechanics (Trust Us)

Diego and I drove into regional Victoria to fix a telescope dome because apparently that’s our life now.

We adjusted the focuser (it was vibing wrong), tried to mount a Celestron C14 on a pier (it said “no”), and realized we need an adapter the size of my ego.

It was dusty. It was weirdly emotional. One of us almost cried (me).

This is what happens when you give two guys tools, a telescope, and zero adult supervision. 🔧🔭🚙

#Astronomy #Telescope #Observatory #DomeMaintenance #SpaceNerd #Celestron #Australia #RegionalVictoria #FixingThings #DIYFails #TravelVlog #ScienceVlog #SpaceStuff #BehindTheScenes #UnhingedVlog #ChaoticEnergy #Astrophysics #ScienceIsCool #OutbackAdventure #EngineeringFail #TechVlog #Stargazing #YouTubeVlog #INeedHelp #WhyAreWeLikeThis

https://youtu.be/OmAaaAcKanI

Servicing Space Domes with Zero Qualifications

Diego and I drove into regional Victoria to fix a telescope dome because apparently that’s our life now.

We adjusted the focuser (it was vibing wrong), tried to mount a Celestron C14 on a pier (it said “no”), and realized we need an adapter the size of my ego.

It was dusty. It was weirdly emotional. One of us almost cried (me).

This is what happens when you give two guys tools, a telescope, and zero adult supervision. 🔧🔭🚙

#Astronomy #Telescope #Observatory #DomeMaintenance #SpaceNerd #Celestron #Australia #RegionalVictoria #FixingThings #DIYFails #TravelVlog #ScienceVlog #SpaceStuff #BehindTheScenes #UnhingedVlog #ChaoticEnergy #Astrophysics #ScienceIsCool #OutbackAdventure #EngineeringFail #TechVlog #Stargazing #YouTubeVlog #INeedHelp #WhyAreWeLikeThis

https://youtu.be/OmAaaAcKanI

This Aussie Town Might Be a Portal to Space (Hear Me Out)

I was meant to be installing an observatory dome at Perth Observatory… but somewhere along the way, I stumbled into Southern Cross, Western Australia — a tiny outback town where every street is named after a star.

Like, actual stars. You’ve got Sirius Street, Betelgeuse Boulevard, Vega Terrace… I thought I was in a galaxy brain fever dream. 😅

Come with me as I explore this unexpectedly cosmic place, get weirdly emotional about signage, and wonder how no one told me this place existed sooner.

If you’re into astronomy, quirky travel discoveries, or just want to hear me lose my mind over road names, this one’s for you.
🌌🛣️✨

#astronomy #space #astrophotography #starstuff #nightsky #spacegeek #australianoutback #perthobservatory #southerncross #deepsky #stars #astrotravel #cosmicwanderer #milkyway #telescope #stargazing #spacetourism #skywatcher #universetoday #astrophoto #nasa #spacenerd #darksky #astrocommunity #scienceonthego #domeinstall #astrotrip #galacticfind #spaceisawesome #spaceexploration

https://youtu.be/Q_B-NJJHzJE

Why Did I Build a Dome 3,000km From Home?? (I’m Still Not Sure)

So... I kinda said yes to building an entire observatory dome... on the other side of Australia.

Everyone said we were insane. No crew. No backup. Just a dome, a dream, and way too many snacks.

This video is pure chaos: assembling a giant research-grade observatory from scratch, battling time, tools, and the Australian sun. We got sunburnt, we got stuck, and yes — we had at least one breakdown (maybe two).

But in the end? The dome stands. And we’re kinda proud of it.

Was it smart? Debatable.
Did we finish it? You’ll see.
Was it worth it? 1000%.

YouTube - https://youtu.be/8dwGK8bLn0o

#ScienceProject #Engineering #Astronomy #Observatory #Telescope #DIYProject #SpaceNerd #Australia #BigBuild #RyanTrahanStyle #BehindTheBuild #YouTubeScience #SpaceTech #BackyardAstronomy #Astrophotography #EngineeringLife #ScienceYouTuber #ProjectVlog

Always enjoy taking a trip back to places I’ve loved.

No exception for the past week. #kansas #spacenerd #Cosmosphere

Next week, it’s back to #cybernerd things!

I hauled a giant observatory across the entire country.
Melbourne to Perth. 3.5 days. One trailer. Endless servo coffee.

We crossed the Nullarbor, hit the longest straight road in Australia, visited the Skylab crash site, and had a few mild existential crises along the way.

Now the dome lives in WA, ready to do some science. Because… science. Obviously.

https://youtu.be/T6NH89B6_qA

#ObservatoryLife #AussieRoadTrip #ScienceAdventure #Nullarbor #OutbackOdyssey #Skylab #PerthObservatory #TelescopeOnTour #SpaceNerd #AstroEngineering #BecauseScience #AustralianAstronomy #RoadTripDiaries

The Moon is still teaching us stuff.
Billions of years old, and it’s got drama.
New NASA study shows a titanic impact reshaped one half.
Like plastic surgery—on a planetary scale.
#MoonScience #SpaceNerd #NASA #LunarLore
https://champ.ly/g3Hrk83b

They don’t orbit stars. They don’t glow. There might be billions of them. Rogue planets drift through the dark - frozen, silent and maybe alive. You're not ready for how weird this gets. #RoguePlanets #SpaceNerd #Astrobiology #CosmicMystery #Space #Universe #ScienceContent

https://sarcasmandstardust.com/the-reality-of-rogue-planets/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=jetpack_social

Pluto, you may be "dwarf" in size, but you'll always be a planet in our hearts.

🔗 https://techgeeksapparel.com/back-in-my-day-we-had-nine-planets/
#PlutoForever #SpaceNerd #AstronomyJokes #ScienceMemes