Observers Notebook

Episode 98 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Lunar Section Coordinator Jerry Hubbell on a recent paper he published called “A Comparison of the Diffuser Method Versus the Defocus Method for Performing High-Precision Photometry with Small Telescope Systems” Jerry discusses exactally what that all means and how amateur astronomers can assist in t...

Episode 97 In this SUPERSIZED episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Saturn Section Coordinator, Julius Benton and Carl Hergenrother on Comet NEOWISE! 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 20, 2020, and contact informati...

Episode 96 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Astronomer and ALPO member John ONeal. John discusses how he got interested in astronomy, and how he plans and organizes his nightly observing sessions, and contact information. You can contact John at: kohamher1@yahoo.com John’s Website: http://www.ncstargazer.com/ For more information you can visit the...

Episode 95 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Greg Bragg from Celestron Greg discusses how he got interested in astronomy, his experiences in telescope sales and all of the star parties that he has attended, and contact information. You can contact Greg at: gbragg@celestron.com Celestron website: https://www.celestron.com/ Skywatcher SolarQuest https...

Episode 94 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Solar Observer, Theo Ramakers. Theo discusses how he got interested in solar observing and some of his techniques, and contact information. You can contact Theo at: theo@ceastronomy.org Theo’s website: http://ceastronomy.org/tramakers For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.alpo-astro...

Episode 93 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Comet Section Coordinator, Carl Hergenrother about the upcoming Comet Atlas 2019 Y4... and more. Carl gives us a brief description of what we might expect and, how and where to observe and details on reporting your observations, and contact information. You can contact Carl at: carlhergenrother@gmail.com...

Episode 92 In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Lyrids meteor shower peaking the evening of April 21-22, 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.usa@...

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...