The Star River Podcast

Introduction to Season Two: The Enchanted Frequency

Gather 'round the campfire, Navigators. Welcome back to the banks of the Star River! After a six-week winter thaw, the current is officially moving again. In this special Season 2 teaser, I detail my recent 2,000-mile expedition into the stark, whisper-quiet high desert of New Mexico in search of the Enchanted Frequency. From chasing the ghostly glow of the Zodiacal light under heavy, pristine dark skies to standing among the massive dishes of the world’s most iconic observatory, Season 2 is a deep dive into how we connect with the universe when the lights go out. Inside this episode: * The Return: Shaking off the winter clouds and setting the stage for the journey ahead. * The Hotline: Long-time listener Mark calls in from the city lights of Ohio to ask a question that bridges the gap straight into the desert. * The Tease: A sneak peek at next Tuesday’s full-length premiere, featuring my first-ever face-to-face interview, at the VLA with NRAO radio astronomer Dr. Justin Linford. 📞 JOIN THE RIVER: CALL 855-DEEP-SKY The hotline is officially open! Share your backyard stargazing rituals, ask a burning cosmic question, or tell us what the sky looks like from your campsite. Call 855-DEEP-SKY (855-333-7759) to have your voice become part of the River. 🌌 CLAIM YOUR LIMITED-EDITION MISSION STICKER! To celebrate The Enchanted Frequency mini-series, the first 25 fellow Navigators to step up and support the show [http://astropotamus.com/support] will receive a high-quality, weather-resistant Enchanted Frequency mission sticker mailed straight to their house with a handwritten note from me, the Astropotamus. * Head over to astropotamus.com/support [http://astropotamus.com/support] * Choose your level of support and Join the Crew By joining the crew, you’ll also unlock access to our private Discord channels, where I will be dropping my raw New Mexico astrophotography files, audio, pictures, drone videos, and more over the coming weeks. So mark your calendars for Tuesday morning, Navigators. Check your gear, warm up the dew heaters, and get that drink ready for our Ritual, because we're headed into some of the darkest skies, and one of the most radio-quiet areas in America: New Mexico. The Land of Enchantment. Until the next bend in the River... clear skies, and I'll see you in the dark!

The New Mexico Mission: Returning Home

In this final "transition" episode, Eric (The Astropotamus) packs his bags and heads home from the Land of Enchantment. Returning with dozens of hours of audio from the deep heart of the Southwest, he pauses to reflect on the voices recorded, the connections made, and the shared Rituals that anchored this mission. "I am a time traveler, and I'm leaving New Mexico not the same person who arrived." Coming soon to the Star River: * The Builders: Impromptu conversations with the VLA rail and maintenance crews. * The Visionaries: Deep dives with the scientists and controllers of the VLA, VLBA, and MROI. * The Historians: A pilgrimage to the Magdalena Astronomical Lyceum. * The Navigators: Future-facing science at the LWA and UNM Observatory. * The Ancestors: Reflections on the final Gathering of Nations Powwow after 46 years. Whether you are a backyard imager, a professional radio astronomer, or a dreamer following the drums, join Eric as he re-joins his "normal" life after a transformational experience on the Star River. Episodes resume once this massive amount of audio has been edited into the stories they deserve. There are a few surprises along the way as well, some of which are simply *amazing*. Please join us in the River for these episodes; you won't want to miss them! Connect with the Current: * Official Episode Website: https://thestarriver.com/episodes/land-of-enchantment [https://thestarriver.com/episodes/land-of-enchantment] * Join the Conversation: Call 855-DEEP-SKY to share your Star River story, ask my guest a question, or leave feedback for the Astropotamus. * Follow the Journey: Find on social media @Astropotamus [https://astropotamus.com/bluesky]. Until the next bend in the River, clear skies, and I'll see you in the dark! Topics & Keywords: Astronomy, VLA, Very Large Array, New Mexico, Astrophotography, Science Communication, Indigenous Astronomy, Gathering of Nations, Radio Astronomy, Finger Lakes Wine, Space Philosophy.

The New Mexico Mission: Standing in the Middle of Silence and the Darkness of the Skies

In this special "transition" episode, Eric (The Astropotamus) packs his bags and heads for the Land of Enchantment. Before diving into interviews with the scientists of the Southwest, he pauses to bridge the gap between two worlds: the green, frost-nipped vineyards of Upstate New York and the red, silent dust of the Plains of San Agustin. "I AM A TIME TRAVELER. BY THE TIME YOU HEAR MY VOICE, I’M ALREADY STANDING IN THE HIGH DESERT OF NEW MEXICO." In this journey down the River, we explore: * The Ritual: A final glass of Keuka Springs Riesling serves as an anchor between the "Terroir of the Soil" and the "Terroir of the Cosmos." * The Ears of the Plains: A visit to the Very Large Array (VLA). Discover why a dried-up ancient lakebed is the perfect place to listen to the violent heart of the universe, and why radio astronomy is as much "heavy industry" as it is high science. * The Skin of the Sky: The Long Wavelength Array (LWA) and the "Radio Quiet Zone," where we learn that to hear the universe, we must first learn to silence ourselves. * The Human Lens: A preview of our visit to the University of New Mexico Observatory and the "Sweet Spot" of astronomy where photons finally meet the human eye. * Ancestral Currents: Reflecting on the Gathering of Nations Powwow and the deep, indigenous history of the stars as relatives, guides, and a "River of Milk" in the sky. Whether you are a backyard imager or a dreamer following the drums, join Eric as he re-introduces himself to the stars. Connect with the Current: * Official Episode Website: https://thestarriver.com/episodes/land-of-enchantment [https://thestarriver.com/episodes/land-of-enchantment] * Join the Conversation: Call 855-DEEP-SKY to share your Star River story, ask my guest a question, or leave feedback for the Astropotamus. * Follow the Journey: Find on social media @Astropotamus [https://astropotamus.com/bluesky]. Until the next bend in the River, clear skies, and I'll see you in the dark! Topics & Keywords: Astronomy, VLA, Very Large Array, New Mexico, Astrophotography, Science Communication, Indigenous Astronomy, Gathering of Nations, Radio Astronomy, Finger Lakes Wine, Space Philosophy.

From Flashing the ISS to Building a Legacy: A Conversation with Robert Lozano

Ever wondered how a karaoke machine can help you communicate with the International Space Station? Listen to this amazing story and find out! In this expansive interview, I wade into the Star River with prolific astrophotographer and observatory operator Robert Lozano. We navigate a journey that spans decades - from Robert's childhood in San Antonio to his current role as a pioneer of remote deep-sky imaging. The conversation begins with an "astronomical first": the 2012 ISS Flash Project. Robert shares the behind-the-scenes chaos and triumph of coordinating with astronaut Don Pettit to signal the International Space Station from Earth using searchlights, lasers, and a daughter's karaoke machine as a makeshift mission control. > "I just think we've been given the opportunity... with podcasts and with the internet and everything that's going on now to be able to be ambassadors for the next generation of astronomers. And I think we have an obligation to do it too. I really do." As the current shifts, we move from the spectacle of the sky to the "Technician's" rigors of the ground. Robert provides a candid, "all the zeros" look at what it takes to build a remote observatory in the harsh West Texas environment. We discuss the engineering of the new SkyShed Pod-S, the heartbreak of early technical mistakes (like 15-foot piers on clay soil), and the leap of faith required to leave high-end gear at the mercy of the elements while controlling it from hundreds of miles away. Finally, we explore the heart of the hobby: The Legacy. Inspired by his meteorologist father, Robert views astrophotography not just as a technical pursuit, but as a form of art and a tool for outreach. This is a story for anyone who has ever felt the spark of seeing Saturn for the first time and wondered how to share that light with the rest of the world. In this episode, we navigate: * The ISS Signal: The technical and personal story of the first successful ground-to-space light contact. * The Eclipse Experience: Comparing the 2017 and 2024 totalities and why being in the shadow is a "spiritual experience" that technology can't replicate. * Observatory Engineering: The evolution from PVC-and-canvas setups to permanent piers and automated slotted domes. * The Cost of Learning: A transparent discussion on the financial and technical hurdles of self-taught astrophotography. * The Ritual of Observation: Why we raise a glass (whether it's Coke with lime or Diet Mountain Dew) to the connection we all share under the stars. * Ambassadors of the Dark: Our shared obligation to inspire the next generation of "Time Travelers" and scientists. What was your "Super Bowl Eve" moment in astronomy? Call the DEEP-SKY Hotline [https://astropotamus.com/join] (855-333-7759) to share your build stories or ask Robert a question. Connect with the Current: * Official Episode Website: https://thestarriver.com/episodes/robert-lozano [https://thestarriver.com/episodes/robert-lozano] * Join the Conversation: Call 855-DEEP-SKY to share your Star River story, ask my guest a question, or leave feedback for the Astropotamus. * Follow the Journey: Find on social media @Astropotamus [https://astropotamus.com/bluesky]. Topics and Keywords: astrophotography, ISS Flash Project, remote observatory, SkyShed Pod-S, Total Solar Eclipse, deep-sky imaging, citizen science, and astronomy outreach.

The New Mexico Mission: Exploring the Silence of the Cosmos and the Darkness of the Skies

The Astropotamus is heading to the Land of Enchantment. By the time you hear this, I'll already be in the current - traveling from the vineyards of New York to the high desert of New Mexico. This mission isn't just about dark skies; it’s about the Plains of San Agustin, where radio waves from the distant Cosmos hit sensitive receivers planted across the ancient lakebed like weird, steel sunflowers. This short briefing previews an expedition that spans the heavy-industry science of the Very Large Array (VLA), the delicate "skin" of the Long Wavelength Array (LWA), and the human connection to the stars at the University of New Mexico Observatory. JOIN THE MISSION * Support the Journey: You can help fuel this expedition and gain access to exclusive raw data and field notes at: https://astropotamus.com/star-river/episodes/new-mexico [https://astropotamus.com/star-river/episodes/new-mexico] * The 855-DEEP-SKY Hotline: Have a question for our guests at the VLA or UNM? Have a suggestion for a hidden gem in the desert? Call 855-333-7759 and leave a message. With your permission, your voice will become part of the Star River Podcast! I have a series of deep-dive interviews and "Sound of the Void" field recordings planned for the coming weeks. Subscribe and follow the current - we're just getting started. Clear skies, and I'll see you in the dark.