The Actual Astronomy Podcast (Shane Ludtke & Chris Beckett)

Part 1 of Autumn Observing starts with Chris and Shane talking about the early astronomers that begun to chart the night sky and plot deep sky objects that they discovered. 

Chris and Shane were to do a lot of observing during the past week. Shane continues to use his binoviewers and continues to be impressed. 

Chris and Shane talk about what they need to do to get their new telescopes operating.

Mark Radice, creator of Refreshing Views on YouTube, joins Chris and Shane to share his experience at the Autumn Equinox Sky Camp at Kelling Heath. 

Chris shares his observing reports from his trip Grasslands National Park West Block. 

Chris and Shane have not been able to observe, but read some listener emails and cover some miscellaneous topics. 

Chris and Shane had some really good observing conditions and took full advantage of it! Hear the details in this episode. 

Chris and Shane talk interesting things to observe in June 2024. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com

Chris and Shane share some recent observations of bright Comet NEOWISE. Chris provides an update on how his 80mm telescope performed after Shane did some work to improve the views. 

Chris and Shane welcome Blake to talk about stellar designations.

Chris and Shane share their initial thoughts after using using their new wide field eyepieces. 

Chris and Shane talk about the new Masuyama MOP and Takahashi TPL eyepieces. 

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

Chris and Shane discuss objects to observe in June 2022. A list of everything discussed can be found at www.actualastronomy.com

Chris and Shane discuss their recent observing and read listener emails. 

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

Chris shares his experience touring the David Dunlap Observatory in Toronto.

Chris and Shane talk about how they use star atlases. 

Chris and Shane discuss the merits of using filters that claim to help with light pollution and find out how you can win a brand new copy of the RASC 2021 Observers Handbook.

Chris and Shane talk about the differences and similarities between Schmidt Cassegrains and dobsonian telescopes. 

Chris and Shane discuss the aspects of binoviewing. 

Chris and Shane cover multiple topics in this episode. 

Chris and Shane share the pie Lunar Eclipse observation reports. Chris gives an update on his recently acquired Celstron Comet Catcher. 

Chris and Shane welcome Daniel Andreason to podcast to begin a series of short episodes. 

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

Inspired by a listener email, Chris and Shane talk about how an observing session can unexpectedly be interrupted. 

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

Chris and Shane welcome Tom Otvos back to the show to talk about making your own telescope. 

Comet Leonard has potential to become a naked eye comet in December. Chris and Shane talk about this and other objects to observe in December. 

Chris and Shane discuss gear and listener emails. 

Find out what you can observe in our solar system during January. One of the highlights is a close grouping of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury.

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

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. 

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. 

Chris and Shane welcome Dave Chapman back to the show. Dave shares the history of how humans began to understand planetary motion. 

Chris and Shane share some obstacles that stop them from observing and what they do to mitigate. 

Chris and Shane talk about well known amateur astronomer, Fr. Lucien Kemble. 

Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to add to your observing list. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com

Chris and Shane answer a listener email asking which telescopes are suited for classes of objects.

Cold temps are keeping Chris and Shane indoors, but Shane recently acquired a Nikon DS Wide eyepiece that is designed for a spotting scope. Shane plans to use this new eyepiece in his telescopes.

Chris and Shane welcome Dave back to the show for the final instalment of the Stars You Know series. This episode is dedicated to stars visible from southern latitudes. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com

Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in July 2023. Please note this episode number is out of sequence. Episodes 338 - 341 will be released in the upcoming weeks. 

Wondering what you can observe in August? Chris and Shane will tell you about the planets, Moon, and the best warm weather meteor shower.

Chris and Shane talk about some recent double star observations and a naked eye sighting of Mercury. 

Chris and Shane did a live recording during the monthly Kitchener Waterloo RASC Centre monthly meeting. Check out www.actualastronomy.com for show reference documentation. 

Chris and Shane talk about their experiences with the Pentax XW eyepieces. 

Chris and Shane talk about some new some gear they have received as well as some that is on the way. 

Chris and Shane talk about interesting things to observe in May 2024. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com

With opposition having just passed, Chris and Shane talk about observing Saturn.

Chris shares his recent experience visiting the Dorner Telescope Museum. 

Chris and Shane share some tips on how to prepare to observe close to home as well as over night at a remote location.

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 the astronomical things they have been doing this summer. 

Chris and Shane share listener emails.

Shane is excited to receive a binoviewer and there are some new dobs from StellaLyra. 

Shane shares how he cobbled together a telescope from a bunch of spare parts and discusses an interesting observation of colour on the Moon. 

Chris and Shane discuss what to observe in some spring constellations. 

On December, 21st Jupiter and Saturn will be 1/10th of 1 degree apart! This is closest that they will appear in the sky in the telescope and won’t be close than 1 degree until 2080. However, do not wait for December 21st! You should start observing them now because they are very close. More details in this episode.

Chris and Shane discuss some interesting email exchanges with listeners. 

Chris and Shane talk about the Berlebach Uni 28 and Takahashi 28mm Erfle. Shane shares his observation of splitting Sirius. 

Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in July 2024, including a comet that might become visible with the naked eye in September/October. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com

Chris and Shane share what they do to stay warm while observing in cold temperatures. 

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 read a listener observing report that is an excellent guide to objects in Canis Major. Show notes available on www.actualastronomy.com

Chris welcomes Damien K to the show to talk about big aperture and planetary imaging.

Chris shares his first light report with the 7” TMB refractor. Shane joined Chris for second light with the 7” and the guys talk about the views. 

Chris and Shane talk about the things they do while astronomy that have nothing to do with astronomy.

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

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

This might be the easiest month to find the planets in the night sky. Chris and Shane will also talk about July being the best month to observe Jupiter and Saturn. Oh yeah, we might also be treated to a fairly bright comet!

Poor observing conditions continue so Chris and Shane discuss more listener emails. 

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!

Chris and Shane discuss different ways to learn the location of constellations and other objects in the night sky.

Chris and Shane have been dealing with cold temperatures, but were able to do a little observing. 

Sometimes we assume modern telescopes and accessories are better than equipment made in the past. Chris and Shane shares their experiences with old telescopes and explain that some are as good or better than modern telescopes. 

Chris and Shane welcome Bill McGeeney to talk about light pollution. Bill hosts a podcast called Light Pollution News, check it out if you would like to learn more about light pollution.

Chris and Shane read the last pun submissions and announce a winner. 

Chris and Shane discuss observing Jupiter and Saturn. 

Chris and Shane welcome special guest Justin Lee to talk about his experience shopping for telescopes in Japan.

Chris and Shane discuss items that you may not need to go out observing.

Chris and Shane read a listener’s email about his experience observing in New Zealand while on vacation. 

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

Chris and Shane discuss amateur telescope making with special guest Tom Otvos. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com

Chris and Shane discuss listener emails. 

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. 

The weather has been good for astronomy which means Chris and Shane have lots to share!

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

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. 

Chris and Shane talk about the newly announced 85 degree Pentax eyepieces and previously released Pentax eyepieces. 

Chris and Shane read new entries in the pun contest and a few listener emails. 

Chris and Shane dedicate this episode to binoculars!

Chris and Shane talk with special guest, Mike Rector, about sketching and observing. Be sure to check out Mike’s YouTube channel called Adirondack Astronomy.  

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

Chris and Shane discuss summer star clouds that are great targets to add to your observing list. Show notes for this episode are found at www.actualastronomy.com

Chris and Shane talk about the Gegenschein and read a listener email about his experience at the Oz Star Party in Australia.

Chris and Shane share their experiences on how to get the best views of Mars. 

Special guest Don Machholz joins Chris and Shane to discuss comet hunting using visual techniques. 

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

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. 

Chris and Shane respond to multiple listener emails.