The Actual Astronomy Podcast
533 episodes — Page 1 of 11
#531 - 12 Months of Messier April Edition
#530 - Tele Vue in June & Chris Sends a Prized Possession to a Listener
#529 - A Listener Builds His Dream Observatory
#528 - The Observer’s Calendar for April 2026
Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in April 2026. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
#527 - A Reflection Nebula Filter?
Chris and Shane welcome Mike O’Brien back to the show to discuss a recent observing session and a test of a filter for visually observing reflection nebula.
#526 - 12 Months of Messier - March Edition
Chris and Shane discuss the prominent Messier objects to observe in March. Show notes are available on www.acutalastronomy.com
#525 - Dumb Things We Have Done at the Telescope
Chris and Shane talk about some of the silly things they have done while observing.
#524 - The Observer’s Calendar for March 2026
Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in March 2026. Show notes can be found on www.actualastronomy.com
#523 - 12 Months of Messier February Edition
Chris and Shane discuss the Messier objects to observe in February. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
#522 - Owning 20+ Telescopes with Richard Navarette
Chris and Shane welcome Richard Navarette to the show to discuss his journey with amateur astronomy.
#521 - Listener Emails
Chris and Shane read and respond to listener emails.
#520 - The Observer’s Calendar for February 2026
Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in February 2026. Show notes are available on www.actualastronomy.com
#519 - OzSky with Clint Reading
Chris and Shane welcome long time listener Clint Reading to the show to discuss OzSky.
#518 - 12 Months of Messier Month 1
Chris and Shane are starting a new monthly series that will ID the key Messier objects to observe. Follow this to observe all 110 Messier objects this year. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
#517 - Navigating the Night Sky
Chris and Shane discuss how they navigate the night sky and the tools that make finding objects easier.
#516 - The Observer’s Calendar for January 2026
Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in January 2026. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
Ep 61#515 - PiFinder with Richard Wolf-Jacobson
Chris and Shane welcome PiFinder creator Richard Wolf-Jacobson to the show. The discussion is all about the PiFinder. More details can be found at www.pifinder.io
#514 - Beginner Christmas Scope Recommendations and Our Wishes Lists
Chris and Shane give their recommendations for beginner scopes and share their Santa wish lists.
#513 - Late Autumn Observing
Chris and Shane discuss recent observing sessions.
#511 - Mark Radice’s Recent Adventure
Chris and Shane welcome Mark Radice back to the show to hear about his second trip to Namibia.
#512 - The Observer’s Calendar for December 2025
Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in December 2025. Show notes are available on www.actualastronomy.com
#510 - Getting Ready For Cold Weather Observing & Listener Emails
Chris and Shane discuss plans for winter observing and read a few listener emails.
#509 - A Tribute to Al Nagler
Chris and Shane celebrate Al Nagler’s contributions to amateur astronomy.
#508 - Bad Light Update & Comet Observations
Chris shares the latest update in his journey to deal with an exceptionally bright light at his observatory and the guys discuss recent comet observations.
Ep 60#507 - Observer’s Calendar for November 2025
Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in November 2025.
#505 - First Night With Your First Telescope Guide
Chris and Shane talk about some things you can do to prepare for your first night of observing with your first telescope.
Ep 59#506 - Comet A6 Lemmon & Comet R2 SWAN
Chris and Shane discuss 2 naked-eye comets that are visible right now!
#504 - Bad Light and Light Pollution
Chris and Shane discuss what can be done when a someone installs an exceptionally bright light that diminishes the night sky.
#503 - M55, Helix Nebula and other Observations
Chris and Shane discuss recent observations.
#502 - Observer’s Calendar for October 2025
Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in October 2025. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
#501 - Titan Transit and Other Observations
Chris and Shane discuss the Titan shadow transit across Saturn and some other observations.
#500 - Feature Constellation Taurus
Chris and Shane talk about interesting things to observe in Taurus.
#499 - Observing Features on Jupiter’s Moons & Other Observations
Chris and Shane discuss recent observations and trying to observe features on the Galilean moons around Jupiter.
#498 - Observer’s Calendar for September 2025
Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in September 2023. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
#497 - 78 Nights in Namibia with Alister Ling
Chris and Shane welcome Alister back to the show. Alister just returned from a long astronomy stint in Namibia.
#496 - Listener Emails
Chris and Shane discuss listener emails.
#495 - Grasslands National Park Observing & Telescopes for Young People
Chris and Shane discuss recent observing in Grasslands National Park as well as buying a telescope for young people.
#494 - Mid-summer Observing Reflections with Mike O’Brien
Chris and Shane welcome Mike back to the show to talk about summertime observing.
#493 - The Observer’s Calendar August 2025
Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in August 2025. Show notes available at www.sasktel.com
#492 - How to Get Over Your Fear of the Dark and General Astro Topics
Chris and Shane discuss a bunch of Cloudynights forum topics.
#491 - We Judge Your Observing
Chris and Shane discuss multiple observing reports.
#490 - First Upgrades For Your Telescope
Chris and Shane discuss upgrades that new telescope owners can consider.
#489 - Observer’s Calendar for July 2025
Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in July 2025. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
#488 - Telescope Store Tours
Chris shares he recent astronomy adventures in Toronto.
#487 - Mini Solar Scope and Recent Observations
Chris and Shane discuss using a mini Borg as a solar scope and share some observing reports.
#486 - Chiricahua Sky Village with Peter Monson
Chris and Shane welcome Peter Monson to the show to talk about the Chiricahua Sky Village in Arizona.
#485 - Observer’s Calendar for June 2025
Chris and Shane talk about interesting things to observe in June 2025. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
#484 - Star Party Primer
Chris and Shane talk about their experiences at star parties.
#483 - Affordable Wide-Field with Brian Ventrudo
Chris and Shane welcome Brian Ventrudo back to the show to talk about affordable wide-field observing options.
#482 - Organizing Astronomy Gear
Chris and Shane talk about options to organize astronomy gear.