The Actual Astronomy Podcast

Chris and was able to do some dark sky observing in Grasslands National Park and at his new site near Regina. Check out this episode for his observations. 

Showing people objects through your telescope can be very rewarding. Chris and Shane talk about how they organize and conduct public observing sessions. 

The smoke subsided enough for Chris to get his first observing session at his new site. Many objects were observed!

Chris and Shane discuss solar system objects and events to observe in August. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com

Chris and Shane discuss what they pack for dark sky observing. 

Forest fire smoke has been reducing the observing opportunities, but Chris was able to get some observing at his new site.  

Chris and Shane read some listener emails covering many different topics. One listener is building his own alt/az mount with tracking and goto capabilities!

Dave Chapman shares his unplanned observation of the gegenschein from the Winter Star Party in Florida, US. 

Chris and Shane discuss the astronomer’s nemesis, light pollution!

Chris has a new observing site that has great potential and some listener emails are read. 

Chris and Shane take listeners on a binocular tour of the night sky. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com

Chris shares some observations from old astronomers and how they saw the night sky. 

Chris and Shane discuss solar system objects and events to observe in July. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com

Chris and Shane discuss a listener question, what are the attributes that good observers have?

Chris and Shane discuss some of the science regarding night vision as well as some tips on how to achieve and preserve your night vision. 

Chris and Shane have nearly completed adding all of the parts needed to use their miniBorg 50mm telescopes. You might be surprised what a 50mm ‘finder scope’ can show!

Chris and Shane walk through how they determine what to observe in the night sky and how to use different tools to locate your object. 

Chris has been making good progress on his Ophiuchus observing project, he shares details in this episode. 

Shane delivers his presentation about why he enjoys using small telescopes. Download the presentation at www.actualastronomy.com  to follow along.  

Chris and Shane were able to get lots of observing done this past week. Hear the details in this episode. 

Chris and Shane discuss solar system objects and events to observe in June. 

Chris and Shane recap their observing from the past week and Chris was able to test his new configuration for the Takahashi FC100.

Special guests, Clark Muir - RASC National History Chair and Randall Rosenfeld - RASC Past National History Chair, join Chris and Shane to discuss details of observations by the first astronomers. Clark also shares his project of creating and using a Galileo telescope. 

Shane talks about the advantages of binoviewers for deep sky observing and Chris shares his current project of building a DIY variable barlow. 

Chris is working on an article for next year’s RASC Observer’s Handbook that lists interesting objects to observe in Ophiuchus. Hear all about it in this episode.