Space Junk

Is it better to buy a complete amateur astronomy telescope system that includes optical tube, mount, drive, etc or can you get better quality by assembling your own from individual components.  Dustin talks advantages and disadvantages to both. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

Tony is finally getting to a place where he can start construction on his backyard observatory for his 20 inch reflector.  In this episode, we discuss the value of having a permanent place for your telescope and it doesn't have to be fancy! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

We have a guest today!  Beth Johnson from the SETI Institute kindly agreed to join us to talk about her role at the SETI Institute and what they are doing to help us find signs of intelligence in the universe.   --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

Tony's been thinking a lot out his life and the meaning it holds.  Getting philosophical, Dustin helps Tony realize that autoguiders are the key to understanding. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

Dustin has been using the new line of astrographs from Askar/Sharpstar and tells us a little about them.  Astrographs are more ubiquitous now that imaging has become so mainstream. Tony also talks a bit about whether you need a college degree these days to get a good job in astronomy. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

Dustin's been using some of the new iOptron mounts that have recently come out and he talks about his experiences with them.  Tony wonders about the effects of the growing use of LED lighting in cities and towns across the world. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

We're Podchatting, did you know that? Tony ventures into the realm of saying what's on his mind.  Dustin and Tony discuss the Artemis mission and Tony has thoughts.  They also talk gear, astrophotography and lots more.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

OK so we decided to pick this back up again.  Tony and Dustin are back talking astronomy and telescopes and we hope you'll join us!  Please send us any input you have and you're always welcome to join our discussion if you're interested. You can also join the Deep Astronomy discord server here: https://discord.gg/K9BuW2U --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

This episode was prompted by an email from Matt who wanted to sort out WHY different telescopes are better than others.  In this episode, I'll break down all the different telescope types and try to answer the question of why you should want one. Also, Dustin and I discuss camera resolution: why it matters, is more better and more. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

More than any other aspect of amateur astronomy, using your equipment to get involved in professional astronomy is growing the fastest.  In this episode, we explore ways you can use your stuff to do science!  Also, Dustin and Tony talk about the advances in short-focal length telescope design and why they are amazing. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

We've been listening for signals from the galaxy hoping to detect another civilization out there.  What are the actual chances we'll hear anything?  Let's take a look at this paper and find out: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1007.0850.pdf Dustin and Tony also talk about APO refractors and catadioptric telescope systems. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

The study of planets around other stars, exoplanets, is a brand new field, one that closely tracks my career as a software engineer in professional astronomy.  I've had the privilege to watch our knowledge about exoplanets explode: in just a few decades, we've gone from not being sure there were other planets around other stars, to knowing how many there are in our galaxy, their types and in some cases, we can guess as to whether life may be present on them. Let's talk about this as well as Dustin and I discuss what you should think about when imaging your first night sky object. Oh, and I got an email! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

In recent decades, our knowledge of what black holes are, how many and what types, has exploded.  Coupled with the brand-new field of gravitational wave astronomy, we are poised to learn even more.  Let's take a tour of what black holes are, the different kinds and how many of these enigmatic objects there are in our universe. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

The magnetic field of the Earth is undergoing some changes.  Scientists measuring the strength and direction have noticed a weakening of the magnetic field along with movement.  Is this something to worry about? Dustin Gibson and Tony also discuss smart telescopes along with computers designed to run imaging equipement. Winter is a great time to see Orion the Hunter, let's talk about that. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support

Can we terraform the Moon?  It's a better idea than terraforming Mars believe it or not.  Dustin and Tony discuss putting together an astrophotography rig for beginners and some space news. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support