This is totally going to be my old man hobby.
Edit: my "old man" plans are to buy some property well outside of light pollution. that way i can just do my hobby any night there's clear skies
Edit2: there's a site in New Mexico[0] where a group has purchased some land strategically where they are at a bit of altitude, and have more nights than not of clear skies. They've it up so that you can CoLo your astro gear there, and they provided a remote connection so you can do everything remotely. For a small nominal monthly fee of course. This is my "pre-old man" plan B to research, but I feel my stuff my be too amateurish for this
As for the remote sites in New Mexico, I've looked into renting telescope time or remotely locating my astrophotography gear but I just feel like I'd be losing something from the hobby if it didn't require me to be hands on with the gear and outside.
[1] https://crestoneendoflifeproject.org/services/open-air-crema...
>I just feel like I'd be losing something
Spend enough cold nights outside, and you'll get really fuzzy to the remote concept! There have been nights where it was so cold, that once the rig was running, everyone just hangs out inside where it's warm with a periodic jaunts outside just to check on things.
Edit: I had to look up some details. At one of the post facilities I once worked, I met John Davis of Jimmy Neutron fame. He's a big astrophotography buff as well. While we were in the color session waiting for some renders to finish, he showed me his remote setup. He can log in and view some cameras to ensure it is safe to open up for observing. He can tell it what to observe in a set it and forget it manner. At the end, it is scripted to process the images and email it to him for review. That's exactly how I'd spend my Hollywood earnings too if I ever had any. I can't remember if he was the person I learned about 3rf from or if it was another client. But yeah, it's a pick your mouth up from the floor and wipe the drool off your face before you look like a fool. He said that's not the first time it's happened to him. Very cool cat.
I've always wonder how feasible it was to do astronomy by boat? That way you can chase clear skies. And I'd suspect there is almost no light pollution out in the deep blue sea.