Observers Notebook

Episode 91 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim has a Round Table discussion with members of the ALPO staff, Julius Benton, Ken Poshedly, Bob Lunsford, and Jim Melka. For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.alpo-astronomy.org/ You can join the ALPO here: https://store.astroleague.org/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=39 You can also s...

Episode 90 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to amateur telescope builder Zane Landers. You can contact Zane on Instagram at: @ZDLanders Cloudy Nights Article website: https://www.cloudynights.com/articles/cat/articles/a-look-at-the-future-of-amateur-telescope-makers-r3228 For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.alpo-astronomy.org/ You...

Episode 89 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to comet discoverer, Don Machholz. Don discusses the history and how to do a Messier Marathon. You can contact Don at: donm353259@aol.com Don’s Comet website: http://donmachholz.com/ All Arizona Messier Marathon https://www.facebook.com/groups/241449202936274/ For more information you can visit the ALPO web site...

Episode 88 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Richard S. Wright Jr. is a senior software engineer and product developer for Software Bisque, Inc. A lifelong amateur astronomer, Richard first experimented with a webcam and black-and-white film images of the moon in the 1990s, and he subsequently became hopelessly addicted to astrophotography. Currentl...

Episode 87 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Bob King, a sky watcher and amateur astronomer since childhood. He is also a long-time member of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), writes the Astro Bob blog and the author of three books: Night Sky with the Naked Eye (2016); Wonders of the Night Sky You Must See Before You Die (...

Episode 86 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Solar Section Coordinator, Rik Hill. Rik gives us a update on the Solar 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 Rik at: rhill@lpl.arizona.edu For the latest information...

Episode 85 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Quadrantids meteor shower peaking the evening of January 3-4 2020. 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 at: lunro.imo....

Episode 84 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Comets Section Coordinator, Carl Hergenrother. Carl gives us an update on the upcoming comets for 2020! Carl also 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 Carl at: carl.hergenrother@...

Episode 83 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 peaking the evening of December 4-17, 2019. 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 at: lunro.imo....

Episode 82 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Solar Section Coordinator, Rik Hill and his life and interests. In this interesting member profile of our Solar Section Coordinator, we learn about Rik’s interest in astronomy, bones and music, it’s a fun conversation. You can contact Rik at: rhill@lpl.arizona.edu For the latest information from the ALPO...

Episode 81 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Jupiter Section Assistant Coordinator, Craig MacDougal. Craig 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, PLUS he entertains us with his Saxophone playing and contact informa...

Episode 80 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Mercury Section Coordinator regarding the upcoming Mercury Transit of the Sun, Frank Melillo. Frank gives us a brief history of the Mercury Section and discusses what type of equipment is needed to observe the transit, where it can be observed, and what makes this event so special, and contact information...

Episode 79 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Orionids Meteor Shower peaking the mornings of October 21/22 2019. 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 at: lunro.imo....

Episode 78 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the newly appointed Executive Director of the ALPO, Julius Benton. We discuss the future plans for the ALPO under Julius’s direction, and we dig a little deeper into his career and life in this member profile as well as contact information. You can contact Julius at: jlbaina@msn.com For more information you c...

Episode 76 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the John Barentine from the International Dark Sky Association. John gives us a brief history of the International Dark Sky Association, how you can also support the organization, what you can do to help out and membership information, with contact information. You can contact John at: john@darksky.org The In...

Episode 77 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Dr Erin Macdonald, Astrophysicist, science fiction consultant, aerospace engineer, and host of the online series "Dr Erin Explains the Universe". Dr Erin gives us a brief background about herself, her interests and we chat about how she sees science communication and how popular culture can be used to tea...

Episode 75 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Grant Tandy, the Observatory Manager at Worth Garden Club in Bend Oregon and a JPL Solar System Ambassador. Grant gives us a brief history of the HopServatory, the Worthy Garden Club and its activities, along with contact information. You can contact Grant at: granttandyphotography@gmail.com Worthy Garden...

Episode 74 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson speaks with Founder & Director at Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo Pranvera Hyseni. Pranvera and I talk astronomy outreach and her efforts in getting a national planetarium and observatory in Kosovo. You can contact Pranvera at: lelahyseni@hotmail.com Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg...

Episode 73 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Lunar Section coordinator Jerry Hubbell. For the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing the ALPO Lunar section has begun an observing program to highlight the landing sites of the various Apollo missions. We also discuss what type of equipment is needed to contribute to the section, and also the v...

Episode 72 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 July 9, 2019, and contact information. You can contact Julius at: jlbaina@msn.com Addi...

Episode 71 This episode of the Observers Notebook podcast Tim talks with author, astronomer Chuck Wood. Dr. Wood received his PhD in Planetary Geology in 1979 from Brown University. Charles A. Wood is a planetary scientist who has worked at the Smithsonian Institution, Johnson Space Center, and the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, AZ. Chuck is also the author of The Modern Moon: A Personal V...

Episode 70 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, ALPO Secretary/Treasurer Matt Will discuss the upcoming ALPO conference in Barnseville Georgia, at Gordan State College. The conference will run from July 12-13, 2019, and be in conjunction with the Southeast Region of the Astronomical League. You can contact Richard Schmude at: schmude@gordonstate.edu Paper presentations will take plac...

Episode 69 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, Mike Reynolds, the past Executive Director of the ALPO and also the resident expert on everything on Eclipses shares with us on what we can expect on the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse set for July 2, 2019 visible in South America. You can contact Mike at: M.D.Reynolds@fscj.edu Detailed information on the July 2, 2019 Total Solar Eclipse...

Episode 68 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Aquariids meteor shower peaking the mornings of May 3-8, 2019. 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 at: lunro.imo.usa@...

Episode 67 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, Mike Reynolds, the past Executive Director of the ALPO we talk about where he was when he first was bit by the astronomy bug and the path that he took and the people that influenced him over the years. You can contact Mike at: M.D.Reynolds@fscj.edu For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.alpo-astronomy.org/ You can...