The Actual Astronomy Podcast

Shane was able to try the 50mm at night and Chris provides a review for the Skywatcher AZ5 mount.    We are pleased to announce that we made it onto the Top 15 Astronomy Podcasts list. Check it out if you would like to discover new astronomy podcasts. 

Chris and Shane discuss multiple starter telescope options. If you are thinking about buying your first telescope or gifting a telescope, this episode was made for you. 

Chris and Shane talk about how effective some lower priced eyepieces are. A listener’s audio message about his experience with a new eyepiece is played and Shane shares how he has conquered the cold!

An observing guide is a great resource to help plan observing sessions. Chris and Shane share their favourite observing guides. 

Chris was able to observe 7 planets in one night and Shane compares an old Zeiss telescope to a modern Takahashi.

Mercury is going to be in a favourable position in the sky for observing. Find out everything you need to know to see the planet that is closest to the sun. 

Lots of excellent questions have come into the podcast that Chris and Shane answer. 

There is no other object that has more detail to observe than our Moon. This episode provides observing tips and resources to help your observations. 

Chris and Shane discuss lots of interesting objects to add to your November observing plan. 

Chris and Shane discuss the objects to observe in Pegasus which is currently well place in the fall skies. 

Chris and Shane discuss the results of recent gear comparisons that Chris performed. 

Chris and Shane talk about early observations of Martian ‘canals’ and other interesting Mars observations from the past. 

Chris and Shane share some of their recent observations. Chris gives his initial thoughts on his new Nikon 1.6x barlow.

Chris and Shane answer a bunch of listener astronomy questions that were emailed to the show.

On Oct 3rd, Chris and Shane had their best Mars observation of their lifetimes. Lots of details reported in this episode. 

Mars is a ‘must observe’ object this month. Chris and Shane discuss this and other objects to have a look at. 

Chris and Shane welcome observing friend Kathleen as the first guest appearance on the podcast. Kathleen shares her thoughts on sketching observations and other aspects of amateur astronomy. 

Chris and Shane have been observing the nigh sky for a long time. Hear about their most memorable observations. You may want to add some of these to your observing lists. 

Dark sky observing plans were scuttled due to wild fire smoke, however Chris was still able to view Mars on a couple of different nights. 

Every two years, Mars becomes an interesting telescopic object to observe due to it's close proximity to Earth. 2020 happens to be one of the close approaches, in fact this will be the closest Mars is to Earth until 2034!

For the first time this year, Chris and Shane meet up to observe under a relatively dark sky. Listen to hear the observations of Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, various clusters, and an excellent double star in Andromeda. 

Chris and Shane provide some astronomical history of the Andromeda constellation and list many interesting objects to observe within it.

Chris finally got the mount he has been wanting and tells us the pros and cons. Shane decided he does not like the Masuyama 35mm, find out why.

Chris continues to log pre-sunrise observations and Shane tests a recently acquired 35mm Masuyama eyepiece. There are lots of planetary observations to hear about.

Find out which objects to observe in September and find out how you observe the winter constellations without having to endure the cold temperatures.