Aleix Roig Mateu
About
I am Aleix Roig. I live in Prades (Tarragona, Catalonia – Spain) where I have the Astrocat Observatory. I work in astronomy management and outreach at Parc Astronòmic Muntanyes de Prades @parcastroprades and Mizar Xperience @mizarxp . Our project focuses on astrotourism and the protection of the dark sky.
THE BEGINNING OF A PASSION
My interest in astronomy started at an early age with a small telescope that my grandfather gave to me. In 1995 I became member of the Agrupació Astronòmica de Sabadell. Thanks to this organization I was able to introduce myself in the fascinating world of astronomy. At the age of 15 (1994-1995) I built my first “serious” telescope, a Newtonian 260mm f/5 with dobsonian mount and J.Costas optics. With this rudimentary equipment, the following years, I was able to be very active in visual observation.
My first contact into the world of astrophotography began in the late 90’s with the approach to the Earth of the two spectacular comets, Hyakutake (1996) and Hale-Bopp (1997). Pictures taken at that time, using analogical photography without any tracking system, opened my eyes to a new world of possibilities.
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
I started studying the degree of physics at the University of Barcelona (late 90’s). But my interest in education opened me a new horizon and I continued studying the primary education teacher 10 degree. I also finished a second degree on Sports Sciences. After a few years working as a teacher I studied a Master’s degree in the Management and Direction of Teaching Centers. I have been working as a teacher of Science (among other subjects) and as a head teacher in primary education in a 0-18 years school in Mataró, the Escola GEM. Since 2018 I live and work in Prades (Tarragona) in astronomy management and outreach at the Parc Astronòmic Muntanyes de Prades. I am a Starlight Guide and also work as a teacher for the Fundación Starlight (Canary Islands). In 2020 I finished my MBA Master at EADA Business School (Barcelona).
I collaborate with IAC (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias) researchers in PRO-AM projects such as the “A 100h imaging of M101 with a small telescope: reaching the limits of amateur telescopes for low surface brightness science”. Raúl Infante Sáinz, Dr. Ignacio Trujillo & Aleix Roig (IAC; Parc Astronòmic Muntanyes de Prades, Spain).
A NEW STEP: ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY
I take images of the night sky from the town of Prades (Tarragona). Located in the south of Catalonia (150km south of Barcelona), among the massifs of Serra de Montsant and Muntanyes de Prades, at a height of 950m, it becomes a privileged place for night sky observation due to its relatively low light pollution and altitude. The average darkness in my observatory is around 20,80-21,20 mag/arcsec2 becoming a Bortle 4 location.
I started my journey into astrophotography when I was very young at the end of the 90’s capturing images of the bright comets Hyakutake and Hale-Bopp.
In 2013 I restarted my observations and my astrophotography activity. Since then I’ve had several different astrophotography setups. I share with you my latest setups in the lines below.
In 2023 I moved to a new home here in Prades (Tarragona) with a new roll-off roof observatory, with two main concrete piers (3.000 kg each, approx). It’s fully automated and it can be controlled via the internet. It has a weather station that monitors all the weather variables and closes the observatory when the sky gets too cloudy or windy. I also installed a Seeing Monitor and my Remote Meteor Station. Right now I have to confess that my dream has come true.
Main pier:
-FRA300 + ASI2600MM + 7 pos EFW 36mm + ZWO LRGB Ha [OIII] [SII]
-Sharpstar 13028HNT + ASI2600MC + ZWO EFW 5pos. 2″ + Optlong L-Quad + Askar Color Magic C1 and C2
Mount: ZWO AM5 + 2x5kg counterweights
I acquired a new telescope that will sit on the main pier, it’s a Sharpstar 13028HNT paired with a new ASI200MC, EFW 2″ 5 pos and EAF. This setup has been designed as a “comet hunter”. First results are just amazing. Being able to capture fast and deep images is key in order to get details on comets. They move fast and their tail’s morphology varies quite fast as well. :
-13028HNT + ASI2600MC + 5 pos EFW 2″ + EAF
Back in November 2022 I finally started the installation of the new Astrocat Observatory in my new home. It was fully operational in July 2023 after several months of lots of DIY.
Main pier:
In the future it will be the place for a bigger telescope. Right now I have placed here my portable setup.
-FRA300 + ASI2600MM + 7 pos EFW 36mm + ZWO LRGB Ha [OIII] [SII]
Mount: ZWO AM5
-FSQ 106 EDX4 + ASI2600MM + 7 pos EFW 36mm + OAG + LRGB Astrodon filters + Ha 3nm Antlia filter
-FSQ85 + ASI294MM + 7 pos EFW 36mm + New Baader CMOS dedicated filters LRGB Ha [OIII] [SII]
Mount 2: Both telescopes are sitting on a MESU200 mount. Guiding is done with a ZWO Mini Guidescope and ASI174MC.
In 2021 I started using a dual rig setup on my Mesu 200 mount. The two imaging trains are composed by diferents lens and cameras as it follows.
UPDATE – November 2021 – FSQ’s duet:
-FSQ 106 EDX4 + ASI2600MM + 7 pos EFW 36mm + OAG + LRGB Astrodon filters + Ha 3nm Antlia filter
-FSQ85 + ASI294MM + 7 pos EFW 36mm + New Baader CMOS dedicated filters LRGB Ha [OIII] [SII]
April 2021 – Widefield dual rig:
-FSQ 85 + ASI294MM + 8pos EFW + Baader filters
-Sigma Art85 + ASI2600MM + 7 pos EFW + LRGB Astrodon filters + Ha 3nm Antlia filter
All this setup is sheltered in the Astrocat Observatory (at my home in Prades, Tarragona). All the equipment is controlled by the software Sequence Generator Pro (SGP).
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS & DISCOVERY
DISCOVERY OF A NEW NEBULAE
After several years of entirely dedication I achieved some of my childhood dreams. In 2023 I discovered a new nebula in the Trinagulum galaxy, M33. I named it “Roig1 Prades Sky” in recognition to my grandfather, Jaume Roig who introduced me into astronomy back in the 80’s. I also named it Prades Sky because this is the place, now my home, that made this dream come true, a dark sky.
Discovery of a Large and Faint Nebula at the Triangulum Galaxy
NASA APOD 2023
In March 2023 I got published my first NASA APOD. It’s a great recognition for an amateur astronomer to get published in such a page. Thanks again for this opportunity.
ASTRONOMY PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2022 and 2023
The Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition choosed my image “The Dolphin Nebula Towards a Cosmic Reef” as a finalist in the stars and nebulae category in 2022, and also as the third place in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year: People’s Choice Awards published in early 2023. It’s such an honor to be featured among the best astrophotographers in the world.
PARC ASTRONÒMIC MUNTANYES DE PRADES
By the end of 2015 we started a series of contacts with the Ajuntament de Prades (city council) to create an astronomy outreach program. This became a reality the summer 2020 by the aperture of the Visitors center in the center of the Prades village. In the near horizon we are working towards the creation of a professional astronomical observatory that will be located in one of the best locations of the Iberian Peninsula, at the Pla de la Guàrdia. This perfect spot has an average darkness around 21.40 mag/arcsec2 and an average seeing of 1.0 to 1.5 arcsec.
In 2021 more than 20 municipalities have agreed to protect its dark skies by law. And have became a new Starlight Tourist Destination the “Muntanyes de Prades i Serra de Montsant” certified by the international Fundación Starlight. To stay updated about all the news you can follow us at @parcastroprades www.parcastronomicprades.cat
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