Observers Notebook

Episode 213 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Mercury Section Coordinator, Frank Melillo. 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 Mercur...

Episode 212 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Solar Section Coordinator, Rik Hill about what is a Solar Cycle and what we need to know about this event. You can contact Rik at: rhill24@cox.net You can visit Rik’s website here. https://www.lpl.arizona.edu/~rhill/jlobs.html Space Weather https://spaceweather.com/ For more information you can visit the...

Episode 214 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Minor Planets Coordinator, Fred Pilcher about the ALPO Minor Planets Section. You can contact Fred at: fpilcher35@gmail.com Minor Planet Bulletin https://mpbulletin.org/ For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.alpo-astronomy.org/ You can also support this podcast at Patreon: https://...

Episode 211 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO member Jim Tomney on the upcoming Virtual ALPO Conference. The dates will be Friday and Saturday, July 25/26, 2025. The conference will also be Live Streamed on the ALPO YouTube channel. As a "virtual" event, this year's ALPO conference will NOT be an in-person event. This way, you can participate f...

Episode 209 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to Jack Daleo, Reporter covering the modern flying beat for FLYING Magazine, writing about topics like drones, unmanned aircraft systems, advanced air mobility and space travel. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA oversee investigations of aircraft accidents in U.S. airspace. But what happen...

Episode 209 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Comet Section Coordinator, Carl Hergenrother about the newly discovered Comet Swan, 2025F2. You can contact Carl at: carlhergenrother@gmail.com ALPO Comets Section blog: http://www.alpo-astronomy.org/cometblog/ For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.alpo-astronomy.org/ You can also...

Episode 207 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to Sam Deen, as a child, he began searching for exoplanets, but soon he was not satisfied with simply clicking on the offered images. He wanted more, to use the available data for his own scientific research. After a year, he left university studies to devote all his time to astronomy. He finds lost asteroids,...

Episode 208 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 17-26, 2025 and April 20-May 21 2025. Bob gives us a brief history of the Meteor Showers, how and where to observe and details on reporting your observations, and contact infor...

Episode 206 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Astronomer and ALPO Eclipse Section Coordinator John O’Neal. John discusses the upcoming Total Lunar Eclipse and contact information. You can contact John at: kohamher1@yahoo.com John’s Website: http://www.ncstargazer.com/ Time and Date Website https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2025-march-14 For...

Episode 205 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Scott Roberts of Explore Scientific about the future of telescopes and the future of the industry. You can contact Scott at: S@explorescientific.com Explore Scientific: https://www.explorescientific.com/ For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.alpo-astronomy.org/ You can also support...

Episode 203 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the coordinator of the ALPO Mars section about the upcoming apparition with Roger Venable We discuss Roger’s life and experiences in Amateur Astronomy and contact information. You can contact Roger at: rjvmd@progressivetel.com The ALPO Mars Blog: https://www.alpo-astronomy.org/Mars For more information you c...

Episode 202 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 2025, 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 204 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the author Robert Reeves. Robert discusses his interest in lunar observing and his latest book. You can contact Robert at: robertreeves400@gmail.com Photographic Atlas of the Moon: A Comprehensive Guide for the Amateur Astronomer https://www.amazon.com/Photographic-Atlas-Moon-Comprehensive-Astronomer/dp/0228...

Episode 200 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks about the history of the Observers Notebook and the future. You can contact Tim at: cometman@cometman.net The beginning Matt Will Episode 1 released on 2/2/2017 In Memorial Mike Reynolds (2019)- Episode 6, 39, 48, 60, 67- (Member Profile), 69, John Westfall (2018)- Episode 29 Don Machholz (2022)- Episode 42, 58...

Episode 201 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Jupiter Section 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@gordonstate.ed...

Episode 197 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the founder of the home observatory company, Sky Shed Pod, Wayne Parker. Wayne gives us a brief history of the company and contact information. You can contact Wayne at: wparker@ezlink.ca Glass Tiger https://glasstiger.ca/pages/the-band Sky Shed: https://skyshedpod.com/ For more information you can visit the...

Episode 199 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 12/13, 2024. Bob gives us a brief history of the Meteor Shower, how and where to observe and details on reporting your observations and contact information. You can contact Bob...

Episode 196 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the recently appointed ALPO Lunar coordinator, Alberto Anunziato from Argentina. Alberto discusses how he got interested in astronomy, and basin and buried craters program along with what his role is in the ALPO Lunar Section, and when we can expect in the future, and contact information. You can contact Alb...

Episode 198 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Comets Section Coordinator Carl Hergenrother. Carl comes on the podcast to discuss Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS. C/2023 A3 You can contact Carl at: carlhergenrother@gmail.com ALPO Comets Section blog: http://www.alpo-astronomy.org/cometblog/ For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.al...

Episode 195 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Remote Planets Section Coordinator, Richard Schumde about the Remote Planets Section. Richard gives us a brief history of the Remote Planets Section and discusses what type of equipment is needed to contribute to the section, and the various observing programs available, and contact information. You can...

Episode 194 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Director of the International Observe the Moon Night, Andrea Jones from GSFC. Andrea gives us a brief history of the International Observe the Moon Night and discusses what type of equipment is needed to contribute to the program, and the various observing programs available, and contact information. You...

Episode 193 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Author Bob King about the rise of the Smart Telescope. You can contact Bob at: nightsky55@gmail.com Visual Observing vs Smart Telescopes https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/visual-observing-vs-smart-telescopes-finding-harmony/?utm_source=cc&utm_medium=newsletter For more information you can visit...

Episode 192 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Lunar Section Coordinator, David Teske. David gives us a brief history of the Lunar Section and discusses what type of equipment is needed to contribute to the section, and the various observing programs available, and contact information. You can contact David at: drteske@yahoo.com ALPO Lunar Section ht...

Episode 191 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 190 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Summertime meteor showers. Bob gives us a brief history of the Meteor Showers, how and where to observe and details on reporting your observations, and contact information. You can contact Bob at: lunro.imo.usa@cox.net International Meteor Organ...