The Actual Astronomy Podcast
By: Shane Ludtke & Chris Beckett
Language: en
Categories: Science, Astronomy
Join amateur astronomers, Chris and Shane, as they share their experiences of observing the night sky.
Episodes
#513 - Late Autumn Observing
Dec 15, 2025Chris and Shane discuss recent observing sessions.
Duration: 01:00:28#511 - Mark Radice’s Recent Adventure
Dec 08, 2025Chris and Shane welcome Mark Radice back to the show to hear about his second trip to Namibia.
Duration: 00:57:56#512 - The Observer’s Calendar for December 2025
Dec 01, 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in December 2025. Show notes are available on www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:33:09#510 - Getting Ready For Cold Weather Observing & Listener Emails
Nov 24, 2025Chris and Shane discuss plans for winter observing and read a few listener emails.
Duration: 00:40:53#509 - A Tribute to Al Nagler
Nov 17, 2025Chris and Shane celebrate Al Nagler’s contributions to amateur astronomy.
Duration: 00:30:53#508 - Bad Light Update & Comet Observations
Nov 10, 2025Chris shares the latest update in his journey to deal with an exceptionally bright light at his observatory and the guys discuss recent comet observations.
Duration: 00:41:02#507 - Observer’s Calendar for November 2025
Nov 03, 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in November 2025.
Duration: 00:38:13#505 - First Night With Your First Telescope Guide
Oct 27, 2025Chris and Shane talk about some things you can do to prepare for your first night of observing with your first telescope.
Duration: 00:44:18#506 - Comet A6 Lemmon & Comet R2 SWAN
Oct 20, 2025Chris and Shane discuss 2 naked-eye comets that are visible right now!
Duration: 00:33:06#504 - Bad Light and Light Pollution
Oct 13, 2025Chris and Shane discuss what can be done when a someone installs an exceptionally bright light that diminishes the night sky.
Duration: 01:04:18#503 - M55, Helix Nebula and other Observations
Oct 06, 2025Chris and Shane discuss recent observations.
Duration: 00:53:46#502 - Observer’s Calendar for October 2025
Sep 29, 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in October 2025. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:52:28#501 - Titan Transit and Other Observations
Sep 22, 2025Chris and Shane discuss the Titan shadow transit across Saturn and some other observations.
Duration: 01:03:47#500 - Feature Constellation Taurus
Sep 15, 2025Chris and Shane talk about interesting things to observe in Taurus.
Duration: 01:02:57#499 - Observing Features on Jupiter’s Moons & Other Observations
Sep 08, 2025Chris and Shane discuss recent observations and trying to observe features on the Galilean moons around Jupiter.
Duration: 00:49:28#498 - Observer’s Calendar for September 2025
Sep 01, 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in September 2023. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:29:22#497 - 78 Nights in Namibia with Alister Ling
Aug 25, 2025Chris and Shane welcome Alister back to the show. Alister just returned from a long astronomy stint in Namibia.
Duration: 00:56:41#496 - Listener Emails
Aug 18, 2025Chris and Shane discuss listener emails.
Duration: 00:42:36#495 - Grasslands National Park Observing & Telescopes for Young People
Aug 11, 2025Chris and Shane discuss recent observing in Grasslands National Park as well as buying a telescope for young people.
Duration: 01:02:09#494 - Mid-summer Observing Reflections with Mike O’Brien
Aug 04, 2025Chris and Shane welcome Mike back to the show to talk about summertime observing.
Duration: 00:48:04#493 - The Observer’s Calendar August 2025
Jul 28, 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in August 2025. Show notes available at www.sasktel.com
Duration: 00:19:55#492 - How to Get Over Your Fear of the Dark and General Astro Topics
Jul 21, 2025Chris and Shane discuss a bunch of Cloudynights forum topics.
Duration: 00:43:48#491 - We Judge Your Observing
Jul 14, 2025Chris and Shane discuss multiple observing reports.
Duration: 00:40:17#490 - First Upgrades For Your Telescope
Jul 08, 2025Chris and Shane discuss upgrades that new telescope owners can consider.
Duration: 00:55:56#489 - Observer’s Calendar for July 2025
Jun 30, 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in July 2025. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:42:42#488 - Telescope Store Tours
Jun 23, 2025Chris shares he recent astronomy adventures in Toronto.
Duration: 01:03:37#487 - Mini Solar Scope and Recent Observations
Jun 16, 2025Chris and Shane discuss using a mini Borg as a solar scope and share some observing reports.
Duration: 00:40:14#486 - Chiricahua Sky Village with Peter Monson
Jun 09, 2025Chris and Shane welcome Peter Monson to the show to talk about the Chiricahua Sky Village in Arizona.
Duration: 01:10:06#485 - Observer’s Calendar for June 2025
Jun 02, 2025Chris and Shane talk about interesting things to observe in June 2025. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:33:18#484 - Star Party Primer
May 26, 2025Chris and Shane talk about their experiences at star parties.
Duration: 00:56:36#483 - Affordable Wide-Field with Brian Ventrudo
May 19, 2025Chris and Shane welcome Brian Ventrudo back to the show to talk about affordable wide-field observing options.
Duration: 00:58:42#482 - Organizing Astronomy Gear
May 12, 2025Chris and Shane talk about options to organize astronomy gear.
Duration: 00:41:33#481 - April Observing Sessions
May 05, 2025Chris and Shane share their April observing reports.
Duration: 01:00:25#480 - The Observer’s Calendar for May 2025
Apr 28, 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in May 2025. Show notes available on www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:28:07#479 - Comet C2025F2 SWAN and Listener Email
Apr 21, 2025Chris and Shane talk about an unexpected bright comet and also read some listener emails.
Duration: 00:52:03#478 - Favourite Equipment by Elimination
Apr 14, 2025Chris and Shane each share their choices if they had to pick one telescope, three eyepieces, two accessories, and one star chart from their current collections.
Duration: 00:55:08#477 - Observer’s Calendar for April 2025
Apr 07, 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in April 2025. Show notes available on www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:28:06#476 - Gear Talk and Listener Emails
Mar 31, 2025Chris and Shane discuss gear and listener emails.
Duration: 00:50:27#475 - A History of Planetary Motion with Dave Chapman
Mar 24, 2025Chris and Shane welcome Dave Chapman back to the show. Dave shares the history of how humans began to understand planetary motion.
Duration: 01:02:31#474 - Skies Over the Southern Ocean with Michael Wright
Mar 17, 2025Chris and Shane welcome Michael Wright back to the show to hear about the observing he was able to do in the Southern Hemisphere.
Duration: 01:04:48#473 - Sirius Observing in Canis Major
Mar 10, 2025Chris and Shane read a listener observing report that is an excellent guide to objects in Canis Major. Show notes available on www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:57:47#472 - The Observer’s Calendar for March 2025
Mar 03, 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in March 2025. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:51:45#471 - Naked Eye Observing
Feb 24, 2025Chris and Shane talk about some ways to observe during the winter when it’s too cold to bring optics outside.
Duration: 01:00:41#470 - Gear Haul with Craig Levine
Feb 17, 2025Chris and Shane welcome Craig back to the show to talk about the amazing gear he received from his brother.
Duration: 01:02:43#469 - Non-Astronomy Things We Do While Observing
Feb 10, 2025Chris and Shane talk about the things they do while astronomy that have nothing to do with astronomy.
Duration: 00:32:29#468 - Observer’s Calendar for February 2025
Feb 03, 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in February 2025.
Duration: 00:38:56#467 - Eyepiece Updates and Contact Red Polymer Advice
Jan 27, 2025Chris shares his eyepiece plans for the 7” TMB refractor and the guys continue the conversation on cleaning eyepieces.
Duration: 00:44:15#466 - Listener Emails and Christmas Gifts
Jan 20, 2025Chris and Shane share listener emails.
Duration: 00:45:57#465 - 7” Refractor First Light
Jan 13, 2025Chris 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.
Duration: 01:04:33#464 - Observing Lists and Eyepiece Cleaning
Jan 06, 2025Chris and Shane talk about some of the non-observing astronomy things they do when they can’t observe.
Duration: 00:53:12#463 - Observer’s Calendar for January 2025
Dec 30, 2024Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in January 2025. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:37:24#462 - Atmospheric Dispersion Correctors
Dec 23, 2024Chris and Shane welcome welcome Alister Ling back to the show to talk about atmospheric dispersion correctors (ADC).
Duration: 00:44:18#461 - Obstacles to Doing Astronomy
Dec 16, 2024Chris and Shane share some obstacles that stop them from observing and what they do to mitigate.
Duration: 00:38:17#460 - Lost Astronomy Gear and Listener Emails
Dec 09, 2024Some astro gear is lost in transit and a bunch of listener emails to go through.
Duration: 00:45:47#459 - Winter Observing Plans
Dec 02, 2024Chris and Shane talk about gear on their wish lists and what they plan to do over winter.
Duration: 00:59:57#458 - Observer’s Calendar for December 2024
Nov 25, 2024Chris and Shane talk about interesting things to observe in December 2024. Show notes available on www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:41:00#357 - Autumn Observing
Nov 18, 2024Chris and Shane share their recent observing reports.
Duration: 00:45:12#456 - Observing in the Namibian Desert with Mark Radice
Nov 11, 2024Chris and Shane welcome Mark Radice back to the show. Mark is volunteering to operate an observatory in the Namibian desert and shares his amazing experience.
Duration: 01:00:34#455 - C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Observing Reports
Nov 04, 2024Chris and Shane go through a bunch of listener observations of C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS.
#454 The Observer’s Calendar for November 2024
Oct 28, 2024Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in November 2024. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:28:25#453 - Aurora Outburst
Oct 21, 2024Chris and Shane talk about their attempts aurora outburst on October 10th.
Duration: 01:00:39#452 - Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas
Oct 14, 2024Chris and Shane talk about their attempts to observe comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas.
Duration: 00:38:47#451 - Explore Scientific 12mm 92 Degree and Other Observations
Oct 07, 2024Chris shares his opinion of his new Explore Scientific 12mm 92 degree eyepiece.
Duration: 00:56:18#450 - Observer’s Calendar for October 2024
Sep 30, 2024Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in October 2024. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:27:14#449 - Getting Borg Telescopes Operational
Sep 23, 2024Chris had first light with his Borg 54. The guys share their Borg stories.
Duration: 00:48:14#448 - We Observed Together!
Sep 16, 2024Chris and Shane share their observing reports from some recent sessions.
Duration: 00:39:04#447 - Stars and Birds with Dave Chapman
Sep 09, 2024Chris and Shane welcome Dave Chapman back to the podcast to discuss bird-themed constellations. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 01:01:06#446 - The Observer’s Calendar for September 2024
Sep 02, 2024Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in September 2024. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:39:36#445 - Listener Emails
Aug 26, 2024Chris and Shane respond to a bunch of listener emails.
Duration: 00:36:37#444 - Focusing on Perseus
Aug 19, 2024Perseus has many diverse objects to observe. Chris and Shane talk about the various objects to add to your observing list. Details can be found at www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:53:33#443 - Listener Emails
Aug 05, 2024Chris and Shane respond to multiple listener emails.
Duration: 00:27:36#442 - Observer’s Calendar for August 2024
Jul 29, 2024Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to add to your observing list. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:25:14#441 - Observing in Grasslands National Park
Jul 22, 2024Chris shares his observing reports from his trip Grasslands National Park West Block.
Duration: 00:46:37#440 - Resources For Astronomy
Jul 15, 2024Chris and Shane share their favourite resources that make observing g sessions successful.
Duration: 00:47:12#439 - Changes to the Podcast and Listener Emails
Jul 08, 2024Chris and Shane announce a big change to the podcast and discuss come listener emails.
Duration: 00:52:31#438 - Observer’s Calendar for July 2024
Jul 01, 2024Chris 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
Duration: 00:28:00#437 - Listener Emails
Jun 27, 2024Chris and Shane discuss some listener emails.
Duration: 00:43:33#436 - Stars A Month-by-Month Tour of the Constellations with Mike Lynch
Jun 25, 2024Chris and Shane welcome Mike Lynch to talk about his book titled Stars A Month-by-Month Tour of the Constellations.
Duration: 00:48:08#435 - Don’t Buy That Telescope
Jun 20, 2024Chris and Shane discuss items that you may not need to go out observing.
Duration: 00:42:04#434- Another Telescope, Noctilucent Clouds, and Listener Emails
Jun 17, 2024Chris buys a new telescope! Also some listener emails in this episode.
Duration: 00:38:21#433 - Shane’s New Telescope
Jun 13, 2024Shane talks about his new Takahashi FOA-Q telescope.
Duration: 00:35:40#432 - The Sherwood Planetarium
Jun 10, 2024Chris and Shane welcome guests Adam Firth and Steve Wallace to talk about the Sherwood Planetarium project. More details can be found at https://sherwood-observatory.org.uk/
Duration: 00:57:18#431 - Listener Emails
Jun 06, 2024Chris and Shane discuss listener emails.
Duration: 00:44:26#430 - Circus at Mokes Lake
Jun 03, 2024Inspired by a listener email, Chris and Shane talk about how an observing session can unexpectedly be interrupted.
Duration: 00:57:22#429 - Observer’s Calendar for June 2024
May 30, 2024Chris and Shane talk interesting things to observe in June 2024. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:34:39#428 - More Aurora Observing Reports
May 27, 2024Chris and Shane talk read and discuss more aurora observing reports.
Duration: 00:57:03#427 - Rain, Grasslands, Aurora, and Smoke
May 23, 2024Chris and Shane talk about recent observing in Grasslands and the recent large aurora outburst.
Duration: 00:50:43#426 - Street Astronomy with Bill Green
May 20, 2024Chris and Shane welcome Bill Green to the show to talk about doing street astronomy for public outreach.
Duration: 01:03:19#425 - Mount Fix and Scope Picks
May 16, 2024Chris thinks he might have solved his mount issues and Shane is thinking about buying a new telescope.
Duration: 00:48:41#424 - Urban Astronomy
May 13, 2024Chris and Shane give tips for observing under light polluted skies.
Duration: 00:41:01#423 - The Joy of Observing
May 09, 2024Chris and Shane recorded this episode live at the 2024 RASC General Assembly. Dave Chapman joins the conversation as well as a couple other surprise guests including Alan Dyer.
Duration: 01:04:37#422 - Chris’s Observatory Update
May 06, 2024Chris tells us about the progress of his observatory build.
Duration: 01:05:53#421 - Observer’s Calendar for May 2024
May 02, 2024Chris and Shane talk about interesting things to observe in May 2024. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
Duration: 00:23:49#420 - Overlooked Observing Tips and Techniques
Apr 29, 2024Chris and Shane talk about some obscure tips that might improve your next observing session.
Duration: 01:03:38#419 - More Listener Solar Eclipse Observing Reports
Apr 25, 2024Chris and Shane read the remaining solar eclipse listener emails.
Duration: 00:19:53#418 -April 8, 2024 Solar Eclipse Observing Reports
Apr 22, 2024Chris and Shane discuss their observations of the partial solar eclipse in Regina, Saskatchewan and read listener’s eclipse observing reports.
Duration: 00:35:59#417 - Globular Clusters with Peter Jedicke
Apr 18, 2024Chris and Shane welcome Peter Jedicke back to the show to talk about globular clusters.
Duration: 01:06:10#416 - Listener Emails
Apr 15, 2024Chris and Shane discuss listener emails.
Duration: 00:30:09#413 - The Gegenschein and an Oz Star Party Report
Apr 11, 2024Chris and Shane talk about the Gegenschein and read a listener email about his experience at the Oz Star Party in Australia.
Duration: 00:51:19#415 - Picking the Right Beer for the April 8th Solar Eclipse
Apr 08, 2024Chris and Shane discuss their final preparations for the 2024 solar eclipse.
Duration: 00:33:51