Deep Space Workshop
Driggs, Idaho
August 18th - 22nd 2025
Workshop Filled - Waiting List Available
The Spaghetti Nebula
The Basics
Join Peter Zelinka for a Deep Space Workshop in rural Idaho this summer. We'll spend 4 nights in Driggs Idaho, with access to some of the darkest skies in the area. Each afternoon we'll meet at an AirBNB near Driggs, where we will have dinner and capture / process our data.
Since this workshop will be held in August, we'll have a great view of the summer Milky Way. Some targets include: the Lagoon Nebula, Veil Nebula, Ghost Nebula, Iris Nebula, Andromeda Galaxy, Triangulum Galaxy, North America Nebula, Heart Nebula and more! If you're not sure what to photograph, we will discuss the best choices (depending on your gear). You may want to bring a wide-angle lens and DSLR for some Milky Way photography as well.
Capturing the data is only half the battle - you'll also need to process your images. We'll have one-on-one lessons throughout the day, so I can work with you at your speed. I'd recommend having Photoshop and PixInsight installed on your laptop prior to the workshop. We will also have group editing lessons at night, once everyone is up and running. This is a great way to learn from me as well as your fellow classmates, and we can all share tips and suggestions on editing.
Location
Driggs Idaho is located on the western side of the Grand Tetons. We should have an excellent view of the mountains from our shooting location. Yellowstone is also quite close, only about an hour and a half away. I'd recommend exploring both Grand Tetons and Yellowstone while you're here. I've got plenty of recommendations on where to go and what to see.
Our shooting location for the workshop will be in a Bortle 2, so we should have a great view of the stars.
Grand Teton National Park is just a short drive away
Schedule
Day 1 - Monday, August 18th:
- Meet and Greet at 5:30PM
- Complimentary Dinner at 6PM
- Begin Setup at 8PM
Day 2 - Tuesday, August 19th:
- Editing Lessons throughout the day
- Complimentary Dinner at 6PM
- Begin Setup at 8PM
- Group Processing Lesson at 10PM
- Teardown whenever (you can always leave your gear up, go home and sleep, and I'll tear down for you in the morning)
Day 3 - Wednesday, August 20th:
- Editing Lessons throughout the day
- Complimentary Dinner at 6PM
- Begin Setup at 8PM
- Group Processing Lesson at 10PM
Day 4 - Thursday, August 21st:
- Editing Lessons throughout the day
- Farewell dinner at the AirBNB
- Setup at 7PM
- Group Processing Lesson at 9PM
Day 5 - Friday, August 22nd:
- Pack up gear
- Morning Goodbyes
Recommended Gear & Clothing
To get the most out of this workshop you will want to have a dedicated astro camera, go-to mount, ASIAir, and telescope. This will make your time much easier and we can focus on capturing great data. You may also want to bring a star tracker and DSLR for some Milky Way photography, although our focus will be on deep space.
We will have a few power outlets and extension cords, if you are planning on flying and can't bring your battery. I may also have a spare battery available, but check with me during the sign-up to confirm. If possible, I'd recommend driving out to Idaho to make the gear situation easier. You can bring everything you need without dealing with the airlines.
It will be quite warm and sunny during the day, and should stay in the 50s or 60s at night.
If you have extra room I'd also recommend bringing a DSLR, tripod, and a few lenses. There will be tons of cool landscapes to photograph during the day.
Finally, bring a laptop that can handle some basic editing. We'll use both Photoshop and PixInsight to edit the photos during our daytime lessons.
The Crescent Nebula
Who is this workshop for?
The Deep Space Workshops are a great way for like-minded people to come together and enjoy a few nights under dark skies, far away from big city light pollution. Whether you are a complete beginner having trouble with your polar alignment, or an experienced astrophotographer looking to capture some great data from a dark sky, this workshop is for you!
One thing I've noticed is that all of my students tend to get along great, and some even become life-long friends afterwards.
The workshop atmosphere will be pretty low-key, since we're all out here to have a good time and learn. I don't want anyone to feel that they are under pressure.
The class size is limited to 4 participants. This ensures that each student gets plenty of attention throughout the night.
The Lagoon Nebula
Price
The workshop will cost $2,600. This includes 4 nights of shooting, private editing lessons each day, dinner each night, snacks and coffee, dark skies and a warm house to shoot from at night.
This price does NOT include: airfare, hotel, rental car, breakfast / lunch. You will be responsible for your own lodging and transportation. This gives you the freedom to explore at your convenience.
A deposit of $1,000 is required to hold your spot. The remaining $1,600 will be due by July 1st 2025. You can pay via check, Zelle, or PayPal. I will send over more information once you're registered.
Cancellation Policy
If the workshop is cancelled due to weather or extenuating circumstances, you will receive a full refund. The weather should be pretty good this time of year, although there's a chance for wildfire smoke. If you need to cancel your reservation, send me an email and we can get that taken care of.
Getting There & Accommodations
There are two airports nearby - Jackson (JAC) and Idaho Falls (IDA), both are about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Driggs. If you cannot find a flight into either airport, then Salt Lake City will be the next best option. It's about 4 hours from there to Driggs.
There are plenty of AirBNBs to rent in the valley, which I'd recommend looking into. Driggs itself doesn't have too many hotels, but there is a Super 8 and the Teton West Motel. Our shooting location will be roughly 20 minutes from downtown Driggs.
Sign Up
If you would like to join the waiting list for this Deep Space Workshop, please send an email to [email protected]