The Actual Astronomy Podcast

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.

Shane talks about his Berlebach Castor II mount and Takahashi 32mm Abbe ortho. This episode also has a few observing reports.

Chris and Shane read and discuss recent listener emails.

Chris and Shane discuss everything from new meal options when on dark sky excursions, to updates on individual astro volunteer tasks, to observing reports…and a few other things.

Chris and Shane talk about solar objects objects and events to observe in May.

Chris and Shane talk about some recent experiences with eyepieces, tripods, and a Herschel wedge. NOTE: This episode has some audio distortion towards the end that could not be removed.

Special guest, amateur astronomer Bill Wier, joins Chris and Shane to talk about observing on the west coast of Canada with various telescopes including a 20” f/3.3 StarMaster dobsonian. Checkout the photos on www.actualastronomy.com

If you have wondered what the differences are between a UHC, O-III, or h-beta filters this episode is for you. Shane provides a brief comparison of a 9mm Televue Delite and 8.5mm Pentax XF eyepiece.

Spring is known as galaxy season. These three constellations have many galaxies that are easily visible with amateur telescopes.

Chris has received his highly anticipated tripod and Shane talks about solar and double star observing he did during the previous week.

Chris and Shane welcome Dr. Stella Kafka - CEO & Executive Director of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). Find out how to observe variable stars and learn about the numerous resources available at aavso.org.

Shane shares a horror story regarding his Takahashi 76dcu. Also hear about Chris’s attempt to observe comet C/2020 R4 ATLAS and Shane was able to observe some double stars from the RASC double star program.

If you are thinking about upgrades to your astronomy, this episode is for you. Chris and Shane share their upgrade experiences.

Shane shares a recent solar observing report and provides some tips fur purchasing your first h-alpha telescope. Chris had first light with his 50mm miniBorg and shares his observing report.

Join Chris and Shane as they discuss solar system events and objects to observe in April.

Chris purchased one of Shane’s miniBorg 50mm telescopes and is now a member of the Tiny Telescope club! Other discussion points in this episode are the different finders that are available and some observing reports.

Chris and Shane discuss where and how to buy used astronomy gear. This is a great way to acquire items that are on your wish list.

Chris and Shane discuss their recent observing and share a listener report about observing double stars.

Chris and Shane discuss interesting deep sky objects that you can observe tonight! You can find show notes for this episode at actualastronomy.com.

Shane recently compared a 40mm Takahashi MC ortho to a 40mm Pentax kellner while observing some double stars and shares his thoughts. Chris has been doing some naked eye observing and a listener shares their observation of the zodiacal light.

Chris and Shane discuss the various options with different diagonals that are available and provide clarity on true field of view vs. apparent field of view with eyepieces.

Shane shares the reasoning for buying a TMB 25mm Ortho and Chris shares why he is thinking about buying a 40mm telescope.

Chris and Shane talk about interesting objects and events to observe in March.

Chris and Shane talk about a few different books as well as a review from a listener. Chris shares his observing log template and how to prepare to observe without having to fumble through a star atlas.

Chris and Shane provide a general overview of deep sky objects and some of the observational history.

Shane tried to split Sirius A and B during two observing sessions and observed the Lunar Wall. Chris provides an update on his Webb research project.

Chris and Shane talk about some of the best deep sky objects to observe right now!

Sirius is the brightest star in the sky. It is also a very difficult double to split. Chris and Shane discuss two listeners observations that recently observe red Sirius B.

Special guest, Dave Chapman, joins Chris and Shane to chat about telescopes and his role in making the Lunar X a popular observational target. Check out actualastronomy.com for some extra links to Dave’s Lunar X article and YouTube video on telescopes.

The weather has ruined any observing hopes during the previous week. Chris and Shane talk about some new eyepieces and a chair that Chris received as well as some gear that is on their wish lists.

Chris and Shane discuss an interesting listener observing report about testing a 25mm Starbase Kellner.

Find out what you can observe in our solar system during February. Note: We decided to swap the order of this weeks episodes after we recorded, so the episode number you hear is incorrect.

Special guest Justin Wasner joins Chris and Shane on this episode. Justin is an amateur astronomer who also has a lot of knowledge and experience regarding 3D printing. Check out actualastronomy.com to see Justin’s presentation on 3D printing that he references in this episode.

If you are looking for a new observing project, you might find some inspiration in this episode. Chris and Shane share the lists and projects that they are focusing on. More information regarding this episode can be found at www.actualastronomy.com

Chris and Shane spend the entire episode defining astronomical terms that you hear on this podcast and read in various observing guides.

Chris and Shane discuss a new location that might be a good dark sky observing site and share some tips how you can find a dark sky site near your home. A new website for Actual Astronomy is introduced as well, www.actualastronomy.com