Episode 209In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Comet Section Coordinator, Carl Hergenrother about the newly discovered Comet Swan, 2025F2. You can contact Carl at:[email protected] Comets Section blog:http://www.alpo-astronomy.org/cometblog/For more information you can visit the ALPO web s…

Episode 207In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to Sam Deen, as a child, he began searching for exoplanets, but soon he was not satisfied with simply clicking on the offered images. He wanted more, to use the available data for his own scientific research. After a year, he left university studies to devote all…

Episode 208In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Lyrids and eta Aquariids meteor showers peaking the evening of April 17-26, 2025 and April 20-May 21 2025. Bob gives us a brief history of the Meteor Showers, how and where to observe and details …

Episode 206In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Astronomer and ALPO Eclipse Section Coordinator John O’Neal.John discusses the upcoming Total Lunar Eclipse and contact information.You can contact John at:[email protected]’s Website:http://www.ncstargazer.com/Time and Date Websitehttps://www.timean…

Episode 205In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Scott Roberts of Explore Scientific about the future of telescopes and the future of the industry.You can contact Scott at:[email protected] Scientific:https://www.explorescientific.com/For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:w…

Episode 203In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the coordinator of the ALPO Mars section about the upcoming apparition with Roger VenableWe discuss Roger’s life and experiences in Amateur Astronomy and contact information.You can contact Roger at:[email protected] ALPO Mars Blog:https://www.alpo-a…

Episode 202In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Comets Section Coordinator Carl Hergenrother.Carl again comes on the podcast to bring us The Comets of 2025, which is always one of our most popular podcasts and his contact information.You can contact Carl at:[email protected] Comets Sec…

Episode 204In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the author Robert Reeves. Robert discusses his interest in lunar observing and his latest book.You can contact Robert at:[email protected] Atlas of the Moon: A Comprehensive Guide for the Amateur Astronomerhttps://www.amazon.com/Photographi…

Episode 201In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Jupiter Section Coordinator, Richard Schmude. Richard gives us a brief history of the Jupiter Section and discusses what type of equipment is needed to contribute to the section, and also the various observing programs available, and contact information.Yo…

Episode 200In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks about the history of the Observers Notebook and the future.You can contact Tim at:[email protected] beginningMatt Will Episode 1 released on 2/2/2017In MemorialMike Reynolds (2019)- Episode 6, 39, 48, 60, 67- (Member Profile), 69, John Westfall (2018)- Epi…

Episode 197In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the founder of the home observatory company, Sky Shed Pod, Wayne Parker.Wayne gives us a brief history of the company and contact information.You can contact Wayne at:[email protected] Tigerhttps://glasstiger.ca/pages/the-bandSky Shed:https://skyshedpod.c…

Episode 199In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Geminids Meteor Shower. The Geminids will next peak on the December 12/13, 2024. Bob gives us a brief history of the Meteor Shower, how and where to observe and details on reporting your observati…

Episode 196In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the recently appointed ALPO Lunar coordinator, Alberto Anunziato from Argentina.Alberto discusses how he got interested in astronomy, and basin and buried craters program along with what his role is in the ALPO Lunar Section, and when we can expect in the futu…

Episode 198In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Comets Section Coordinator Carl Hergenrother.Carl comes on the podcast to discuss Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS. C/2023 A3You can contact Carl at:[email protected] Comets Section blog:http://www.alpo-astronomy.org/cometblog/For more information…

Episode 195In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Remote Planets Section Coordinator, Richard Schumde about the Remote Planets Section.Richard gives us a brief history of the Remote Planets Section and discusses what type of equipment is needed to contribute to the section, and the various observing progr…

Episode 194In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Director of the International Observe the Moon Night, Andrea Jones from GSFC. Andrea gives us a brief history of the International Observe the Moon Night and discusses what type of equipment is needed to contribute to the program, and the various observing…

Episode 193In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Author Bob King about the rise of the Smart Telescope.You can contact Bob at:[email protected] Observing vs Smart Telescopeshttps://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/visual-observing-vs-smart-telescopes-finding-harmony/?utm_source=cc&utm_medium=n…

Episode 192In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Lunar Section Coordinator, David Teske. David gives us a brief history of the Lunar Section and discusses what type of equipment is needed to contribute to the section, and the various observing programs available, and contact information.You can contact D…

Episode 191In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Mercury Section Coordinator, Frank Melilo. Frank gives us a brief history of the Mercury Section and discusses what type of equipment is needed to contribute to the section, and also the various observing programs available, and contact information.You can…

Episode 190In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Summertime meteor showers. Bob gives us a brief history of the Meteor Showers, how and where to observe and details on reporting your observations, and contact information.You can contact Bob at:l…

Episode 189In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to Tom Zega, One of the chief scientists on the OSIRIS-REx sample return mission about the latests findings from the samples.OSIRIS-REx missionhttps://science.nasa.gov/mission/osiris-rex/For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:www.alpo-astronomy.o…

Episode 188In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Executive Director, Ken Poshedly on the upcoming Virtual ALPO Conference. The dates will be Friday and Saturday, July 26/27, 2024. The conference will also be Live Streamed on the ALPO YouTube channel.The conference times for both days will be from 10…

Episode 187In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to a number of observers of the April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse to get their first hand experience.Special thanks to Ken Poshedly, John Oneal, Keith Drake, Daniel Herron, Lisa Tate-Holmes and Scott Harris for sharing their experiences.As the Total Solar Eclipse…

Episode 186In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Jim Lackner, the resident Astronomer at Butterfield RV Resort and Observatory.Jim gives us a brief history of the RV Resort, the telescope and the night time programs he conducts there..You can find out more about the RV Resort at:https://www.rv-resort.com…

Episode 185In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Spring time Meteor Showers. You can contact Bob at:[email protected] Meteor Organizationhttps://www.imo.net/For the latest information from the ALPO Meteor Section you can visit:h…

Episode 184In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Rica French, Professor Astronomy and Program Director at Mira Costa College in Oceanside California. You can contact Rica at:[email protected] more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:www.alpo-astronomy.org/You can also support this podca…

Episode 183In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO member Greg Shanos about the new smart telescope, the SeeStar S50. You can contact Greg at:[email protected] SeeStar websitehttps://www.seestar.com/Measuring asteroid rotation with the Seestar.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5nqQgb3bB8For more infor…

Episode 182In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson speaks with Founder & Director at Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo Pranvera Hyseni. Pranvera and I talk astronomy outreach and her efforts in getting a national planetarium and observatory in Kosovo, and her currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Science at the …

Episode 181In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to professional astronomer, author and Comet discoverer Alan Hale. You can contact Alan at:[email protected]’s Comethttps://www.amazon.com/Everybodys-Comet-Laymans-Guide-Hale-Bopp/dp/0944383386/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2QLD55TJWVGSX&keywords=alan+hale&…

Episode 180In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Executive Director of the ALPO Ken Poshedly about where the ALPO currently stands and what he sees for the future. You can contact Ken at:[email protected] more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:www.alpo-astronomy.org/You can …

Episode 178In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Eclipse expert, John ONeal, about the upcoming total solar eclipse, and contact information.You can contact John at:[email protected] your eclipse observations to:[email protected] Software recommendations for DSLR & Smartphones:…

Episode 179In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Comets Section Coordinator Carl Hergenrother.Carl again comes on the podcast to bring us The Comets of 2024, which is always one of our most popular podcasts and his contact information.You can contact Carl at:[email protected] Comets Sec…

Episode 177In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Meteorite Section Coordinator Dolores Hill.Dolores, along with running the ALPO Meteorite Section, she is also a Sr. Research Specialist Lunar & Planetary Laboratory at The University of Arizona. She is also a principal investigator for the OSIRIS-REx…

Episode 176In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Geminids Meteor Shower. The Geminids will next peak on the December 14/15, 2023. Bob gives us a brief history of the Meteor Shower, how and where to observe and details on reporting your observati…

Episode 175In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Comets Section Coordinator Carl Hergenrother.Halley’s Comet is one of the most famous comets of all time. It is currently at its furthest point away from the sun. Carl will give an in-depth look at the comet and what it’s doing right now, and his cont…

Episode 174In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Saturn Section Coordinator, Julius Benton.Julius gives us a brief history of the Saturn Sections and discusses what type of equipment is needed to contribute to the section, and the upcoming observing opportunities of Saturn, and contact information.You ca…

Episode 173In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Orionids meteor shower peaking the evening of October 21/22 2023. Bob gives us a brief history of the Meteor Shower, how and where to observe and details on reporting your observations, and contac…

Episode 172In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Eclipse Coordinator, Keith Spring about the upcoming Annular Solar Eclipse in October.You can contact Keith at:[email protected] your eclipse observations to:[email protected] Annular Eclipse information:https://solarsystem.nasa.…

Episode 171In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to Trevor Barry, the 2023 recipient of the Walter H Haas Observers award about his career and being a lifelong member of the ALPO as he shares his thoughts on the 75th anniversary of the organization.After a 34-year mining career and limited academic background, …

Episode 170In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the coordinator of the activities for the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse in Rochester New York, Dan Schneiderman.Dan gives us an update on what you can expect if you will be observing the Total Solar Eclipse from Rochester NY, and contact information.You can con…

Episode 169In this episode we continue our special series on Historic Observatories as we talk with the Historian and PIO of the Lowell observatory, Kevin Schindler.Lowell Observatoryhttps://lowell.edu/For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:www.alpo-astronomy.org/You can also support this podcast at Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/…

Episode 168In this episode we continue our special series on Historic Observatories as we talk with the Assistant Director for Education and Outreach of the Mc Donald observatory, Katie Kizziar, and staff Astronomer Steven Janowiecki.Mc Donald Observatoryhttps://mcdonaldobservatory.org/For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:www.alp…

Episode 167In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Summertime meteor showers. Bob gives us a brief history of the Meteor Showers, how and where to observe and details on reporting your observations, and contact information.You can contact Bob at:l…

Episode 166In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Board Member Ken Poshedly on the upcoming Virtual ALPO Conference. The dates will be Friday and Saturday, July 28/29, 2023. The conference will also be Live Streamed on the ALPO YouTube channel.The conference times for both days will be from 10 a.m. t…

Episode 165In this episode we continue our special series on Historic Observatories as we talk with a Staff Astronomer of the Lick observatory, Paul Lynam.Paul Lynam Contact:[email protected] Observatoryhttps://www.lickobservatory.org/For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:www.alpo-astronomy.org/You can also support this podca…

Episode 164In this episode we continue our special series on Historic Observatories as we talk with the Director of the Vatican observatory, FR Paul Gabor.Vatican Observatoryhttps://www.vaticanobservatory.org/For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:www.alpo-astronomy.org/You can also support this podcast at Patreon:https://www.patre…

Episode 163In this episode we continue our special series on Historic Observatories as we talk with the directory of the Mauna Kea observatory, Doug Simons.Mauna Kea Observatoryhttps://www.maunakeaobservatories.org/For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:www.alpo-astronomy.org/You can also support this podcast at Patreon:https://www…

Episode 162In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Lyrids and eta Aquariids meteor showers peaking the evening of April 22-23, 2023 and May 5-7 2023. Bob gives us a brief history of the Meteor Showers, how and where to observe and details on repor…

Walter H. Haas from February 2008In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the daughter of the ALPO founder, Mary Alba.Mary talks about her father and an honor that was just bestowed on him by the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces. The renaming of their observation to the Walter H. Haas Memorial Observatory.Alo…

Episode 161In this episode we discuss the ALPO Solar Section with Kim Hay and Rik Hill.Kim Hay email:[email protected] Hill email:[email protected] Solar Section:https://alpo-astronomy.org/solarblog/For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:www.alpo-astronomy.org/You can also support this podcast at Patreon:https://www.patreon.…