Observers Notebook

Episode 140 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Lyrids and eta Aquariids meteor showers peaking the evening of April 21-22, 2022 and May 4-5 2022. Bob gives us a brief history of the Meteor Showers, how and where to observe and details on reporting your observations, and contact information....

Episode 139 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to Dr. P Clay Sherrod about his career and being a lifelong member of the ALPO as he shares his thoughts on the 75th anniversary of the organization. You can contact Dr. Clay at: drclay@tcworks.net Arkansas Sky Observatory: http://arksky.org/ Arkansas Sky Observatories on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grou...

Episode 138 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to ALPO member and Radio astronomy enthusiast Steve Tzikas and Amatuer Astronomers doing Radio Astronomy. You can contact Steve at: Tzikas@alum.rpi.edu SARA website: https://radio-astronomy.org/ For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.alpo-astronomy.org/ You can also support this podcast at...

Episode 137 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to Tom Dobbins about his career and being a lifelong member of the ALPO as he shares his thoughts on the 75th anniversary of the organization. You can contact Tom at: tomdobbins@gmail.com For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.alpo-astronomy.org/ You can also support this podcast at Patreo...

Episode 136 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to author, podcaster and astronomer Josh Urban about teaching astronomy to the visually impaired. You can contact Josh at: JoshUrban@protonmail.com Sky and Telescope article: https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/stargazers-corner/believing-isnt-seeing-teaching-astronomy-for-the-visually-impaired/ The Night Kit...

Episode 135 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to an Executive Director of the American Astronomical Society, Kevin Marvel. The American Astronomical Society is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America. The AAS was established in 1899 and based in Washington, DC. Our membership of about 7,700 individuals also includes physicists,...

Episode 134 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the editor of the new book, Planetary Astronomy: Observing, imaging, and studying the planets- Christophe Pellier. Not since the book “Introduction to Observing and Photographing the Solar System”, by Thomas Dobbins, Donald Parker and Charles Capen, so well described the various methods of Planetary Astronom...

Episode 133 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Comets Section Coordinator Carl Hergenrother. Carl again comes on the podcast to bring us The Comets of 2022, which is always one of our most popular podcasts and his contact information. You can contact Carl at: carlhergenrother@gmail.com ALPO Comets Section blog: http://www.alpo-astronomy.org/come...

Episode 132 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Solar Section Coordinator, Rik Hill about telescopes and what first time buyers should look for. You can contact Rik at: rhill@lpl.arizona.edu You can visit Rik’s website here; https://www.lpl.arizona.edu/~rhill/jlobs.html For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.alpo-astronomy.org/ Y...

Episode Supplemental 12102021 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Geminids Meteor Shower. The Geminids will next peak on the December 13/14, 2021 night. On this night, the moon will be 78% full. Bob gives us a brief history of the Meteor Showers, how and where to observe and details on report...

Episode 131 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Chief Executive Director of The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), Stella Kafka. The AAVSO is an international non-profit organization of variable star observers whose mission is to enable anyone, anywhere, to participate in scientific discovery through variable star astronomy. We a...

Episode 130 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the President of the Southern Cross Astronomical Society and coordinator of the Winter Star Party, Russ Brick. Russ gives us a brief history of the Winter Star Party and what we can expect at the event this year, and contact information. You can contact Russ at: russbrick@scas.org Winter Star Party Website h...

Episode 129 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to Keith Spring, the ALPO Eclipse Section coordinator about the November 19, 2021 Partial Lunar eclipse, and contact information. You can contact Keith at: star.man13@hotmail.com Send your eclipse observations to: eclipse@alpo-astronomy.org Lunar Eclipse Danjon Scale: https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/Danjon.htm...

Episode 128 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Uranus Section Coordinator, Richard Schmude. Richard gives us a brief history of the Uranus Section and discusses what type of equipment is needed to contribute to the section, and also the various observing programs available, and contact information. You can contact Richard at: schmude@gordonstate.edu...

Episode 127 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Mercury Section Coordinator, Frank Melilo. Frank gives us a brief history of the Mercury Section and discusses what type of equipment is needed to contribute to the section, and also the various observing programs available, and contact information. You can contact Frank at: frankj12@aol.com ALPO Mercury...

Episode 126 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, ALPO Lunar coordinator, Alberto Anunziato from Argentina gives a talk recorded during the recent ALPO Conference. Alberto discusses Amateur studies of Lunar Wrinkle Ridges, and contact information. You can download his charts here: http://www.cometman.net/alpo/Alberto2021.pdf You can contact Alberto at: albertoanunziato@yahoo.com.ar AL...

Episode 125 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the President of Meade Instruments and Orion Telescope Peter Moreo, regarding the recent merger of the two companies. Peter gives us a brief history of the two companies and what brought on the merger as well as future plans for the companies, and contact information. You can contact Peter at: peter.moreo@te...

Episode 124 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Jupiter Section Assistant Coordinator, Richard Schmude. Richard gives us a brief history of the Jupiter Section and discusses what type of equipment is needed to contribute to the section, and also the various observing programs available, and contact information. You can contact Richard at: schmude@gord...

Episode 123 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Saturn Section Coordinator, Julius Benton. Julius gives us a brief history of the Saturn Section and discusses what type of equipment is needed to contribute to the section, and also the upcoming opposition of Saturn on August 2, 2021, and contact information. You can contact Julius at: jlbaina@msn.com A...

Episode 122 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Perseids Meteor Shower. The Perseids will next peak on the Aug 11-12, 2021 night. On this night, the moon will be 13% full. Bob gives us a brief history of the Meteor Showers, how and where to observe and details on reporting your observations,...

Episode 120 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Lunar Section Coordinator, David Teske about the ALPO Lunar section. David gives us a brief history of the Lunar Section, how to observe and details on reporting your observations, and contact information. You can contact David at: drteske@yahoo.com The link for the details on the ALPO Lunar Section: htt...

Episode 121 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Board member Ken Poshedly. Tim and Ken discuss the upcoming 2021 ALPO Virtual conference, and how you can participate! The dates will be Friday and Saturday, August 13 and 14, 2021. The conference will be on ZOOM and it will also be Live Streamed on the ALPO YouTube channel. ALPO Website: http://www...

Episode 119 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to Pam Shivak about the upcoming International SUNday events happening around the world and how anyone can become involved with the section, and contact information. You can contact Pam at: PamelaShivak@yahoo.com For the latest information from the International SUNday Facebook group you can visit: https://www....

Episode 118 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to Keith Spring, the ALPO Eclipse Section coordinator about two upcoming eclipses, and contact information. You can contact Keith at: star.man13@hotmail.com Send your eclipse observations to: eclipse@alpo-astronomy.org For the latest information on the eclipses you can visit: http://alpo-astronomy.org/eclipse/2...

Episode 117 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Dr. Jonathan Gardner is the Deputy Senior Project Scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope Jonathan gives us a brief history of the James Webb Space Telescope, and contact information. You can contact Jonathan at: jonathan.p.gardner@nasa.gov The link for the details on the James Webb Space Telescope:...