Space Junk
Summary: Space Junk is a weekly podcast dedicated to the amazing hobby of amateur astronomy. Each week we’ll answer your questions and bring you the latest information and advice on the tools, gadgets, software and techniques for maximizing your enjoyment of the night sky. Your hosts are Tony Darnell from DeepAstronomy.space and Dustin Gibson from OPT Telescopes, a world leader in telescopes and accessories. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
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- Artist: OPT Telescopes
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Podcasts:
What better way to commemorate International Dark Sky Week than by talking with Kelly Beatty, a former editor of Sky and Telescope Magazine and light pollution activist. He tells us how big an issue our disappearing dark skies are, his thoughts on the new Starlink constellation of satellites from SpaceX and what we can all do to help combat the lightening of our night. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
We have limited information about the effects of alcohol in space, but there's no doubt that it is a very important cultural feature for many of us. Chris Carberry, the CEO of Explore Mars and author of "Alcohol in Space" joins us to talk about the role alcohol can play, if not in space survivability, then at least in coping with space travel. We also discuss the latest efforts to get to Mars and whether we can get there by the 2030's. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
Taking high quality images of our nearest celestial neighbor is harder than you think. Luckily we've brought Robert Reeves back to our podcast to help you take the best possible images of the moon. He's also shared a lot of high quality images of his own in the link below: http://bit.ly/3f0NXAN --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
One of the most important activities that professional astronomers are engaged in is looking for objects out there that might hit the Earth and in THAT task, they can use all the help they can get. With today's amateur equipment it is now possible to engage in professional-level sky searches for asteroids that help keep tabs on all the big rocks out in the solar system, some of which are potentially hazardous to us. Mike Forslund, aka Asteroid Hunters has set up an automated system in his driveway that assists astronomers in locating and tracking asteroids. In this episode, Mike updates us on what's changed for him (turns out it's a lot!) since our last time together. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
Arelius Mitty and Griffin Haisman are two young amateurs just getting started in our exciting hobby. Both have worked closely with Dustin to produce some of the most amazing images we've ever seen. In this episode we dive into what got them interested in the hobby as well as some insights into what barriers they faced. We also look into the future of these two talented young imagers. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
Don Pettit is a chemical engineer from Silverton, Oregon who also happens to be an astronaut! An avid amateur astronomer, he is a veteran of three flights into space: once on a space shuttle flight, and two more aboard the ISS where he logged more than six months in space. Don brings his expertise and interest in amateur astronomy to everything he does, including conducting some observations from orbit and as the oldest active NASA astronaut, has a lot of wisdom and experience to share. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
Astrobin was created as a labor of love with the goal of providing context to astro images that astrophotographers could appreciate and use. Salvatore Lovene, the founder and creator of this resource joins us to talk about why he started the project and how it will serve the astrophotography community. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
Passion for anything is a powerful motivator, our guest today channels our innate passion for our place in the universe as a driver to improve science education and literacy. Rachel Freed is an avid amateur astronomer, professional scientist and educator who is dedicating herself to improving education using astronomy. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
I can't tell you how many times I get called out calling The Big Dipper a constellation. "It's not a constellation, it's an ASTERISM!" OK, fine. So, what's the difference? Listen to this podcast to find out! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
Josh Walawender is a staff astronomer at Keck Observatory and joins Dustin and Tony to give us some insights into working at a leading astronomical facility. Josh is also involved in Project Panoptes, a citizen science initiative that makes the hunt for planets around other stars accessible to amateur astronomers. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
Did you get some new gear for the holidays? Are you just starting out in this great hobby? Then this episode is for you. Dustin and Tony are joined by Brian Fulda, an instructor at OPT University, to discuss how to get started with your new scope and how to overcome some common hurdles that beginners sometimes face. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
As I post this episode, we are two hours away from midnight Eastern Time. I for one, will be glad to see this year go. In this episode, Dustin and Tony talk about the year just past and what's ahead for 2021 in our wonderful hobby. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
Molly Wakeling, aka AstronoMolly has only been imaging for five years and in that short time has made a name for herself in the astro-imaging world. In addition to her studies as a graduate student in physics, she is also actively involved in science communication. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
Tom Bramwell is the Director of Operations in the U.S. for Prima Luce Lab and joins us to talk about his journey into amateur astronomy and his move from Apple to Prima Luce Labs. We streamed this recording live and have included some of your questions and comments. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
Binoculars are a great way to get introduced into the hobby of amateur astronomy. In addition to being useful for other activities like bird watching, sporting events and any outdoor activity, they are also amazing tools for looking up into the night sky. Dustin and Tony discuss using binoculars to get acquainted with our amazing hobby and we'll teach you about many of the particulars of binocular characteristics. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support