Shows
The Actual Astronomy Podcast#523 - 12 Months of Messier February EditionChris and Shane discuss the Messier objects to observe in February. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
2026-02-2339 min
The 365 Days of AstronomyActual Astronomy - Owning 20+ Telescope with Richard NavaretteHosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com Episode 522. Continuing on with our 2026 resolution we have a special guest listener joining us today. Richard Navarette is a long time amateur astronomer from the San Francisco Bay Area where he has been instrumental in getting people out observing through The Astronomy Connection, well known as "TAC". Richard has owned 20+ telescopes over the years and while he has enjoyed viewing through many large instruments his personal collection has mostly been focused on portable, affordable gear. W...
2026-02-191h 03
The 365 Days of AstronomyActual Astronomy - February Observer's CalendarHosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com This month we talk about the Moon occulting Regulus, Saturn and Neptune pairing up while Mercury is visible in the evening sky and occulted by the Moon for some. The Zodiacal light also becomes visible in February and we give you the details on seeing lunar features and some of the best Deep Sky objects plus the Carbon and Double Stars to see at this month. Feb 1 - Full Moon - 26 Aur Coulorful Double Feb 2 - Regulus o...
2026-02-0542 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#520 - The Observer’s Calendar for February 2026Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in February 2026. Show notes are available on www.actualastronomy.com
2026-02-0241 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#518 - 12 Months of Messier Month 1Chris and Shane are starting a new monthly series that will ID the key Messier objects to observe. Follow this to observe all 110 Messier objects this year. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
2026-01-1938 min
The 365 Days of AstronomyActual Astronomy - OzSky With Clint ReadingHosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com In this podcast (Episode 519) we talk with a special guest & long-time listener Clint Reading (from Nebraska, formerly from Idaho) about his astro-tourism trips to OzSky which is a biannual event for amateur astronomers from the northern hemisphere to have the opportunity to see the southern skies. We learn how to prepare for an astronomy trip to Australia, what to bring to get the most out of a week under the southern stars and how you can take advantage of these events. This is...
2026-01-1554 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#516 - The Observer’s Calendar for January 2026Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in January 2026. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
2026-01-0538 min
The 365 Days of AstronomyActual Astronomy - Observer's Calendar for JanuaryHosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com This month in episode 516 we talk about the many things to see in the night sky including, carbon stars, double stars, 24P Schaumasse is a Comet that just cracks 8th magnitude making it visible in binoculars. We also detail how people can explore Jupiter through a telescope followed by many NGC and Messier Objects you can see in the winter sky. Jan 1 - Struve 627 in Orion Colorful Double Star Primary Star (A component): Yellow, golden-yellow, pale orange, or...
2026-01-0139 min
The 365 Days of AstronomyActual Astronomy - PiFinderHosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com Today we have a guest joining us, Richard Wolf-Jacobson who is the founder of BB Labs/ PiFinder which is a new type of finder device. https://www.pifinder.io/ Before we get going Richard, can you tell us about where you are / observe / how you got started in Astronomy, what your interests are and what equipment you use? * What is a Pi Finder? * How does it work? / How do you set it up?...
2025-12-1850 min
The 365 Days of AstronomyActual Astronomy - Observer's Guide - DecemberHosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com - Dec 3-4 – Moon 0.8° N of Pleiades (Occults stars in Virginia) Carbon Star U Lyr best tonight - Dec 4 – Full Moon in Taurus - Dec 7 – Jupiter 4° South of Moon Mercury Greatest Elongation 21° from Sun in morning Sky Endymion sunset rays visible on Moon - Dec 7-8 Moon and M44 - Dec 8 – 16 Psyche at Opposition 9.4 magnitude Asteroid 16 Psyche is a large, metal-rich asteroid, thought to be the exposed core of a p...
2025-12-0434 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#512 - The Observer’s Calendar for December 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in December 2025. Show notes are available on www.actualastronomy.com
2025-12-0133 min
The 365 Days of AstronomyActual Astronomy - Mark Radice's Recent Astronomy AdventuresHosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com Our friend Mark Radice joins us to talk about his recent trip to Namibia where he helps run astronomy tours at a ranch. Great fun observing with guests and celestial sights including: - Alpha Centauri double star - 47 Tucanae – simply stunning - Comet SWAN (couldn't see Lemon) - Milky Way constellations - NGC 253 galaxy; M8 Lagoon; Tarantula Nebula - Saturn - Neptune - Moon ...
2025-11-2058 min
The 365 Days of AstronomyActual Astronomy - Observer's Calendar For NovemberHosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com Episode 507. 1st - Carbon Star V Air best tonight 2nd - Saturn Neptune and Moon congregate in evening sky 4th - Two Shadows on Jupiter IO and Euorpa after 10pm here for us so that's midnight EST. 5th - Full Moon (closest moon of the year) Asteroid Victoria at opposition. Asteroid "12 Victoria" is a large S-type (stony) asteroid in the main asteroid belt, discovered in 1850 by J.R. Hind. It orbits between Mars and Jupiter, recently, a meteor event occurred over Victoria...
2025-11-0639 min
The 365 Days of AstronomyActual Astronomy - M55, Helix Nebula & Other ObservationsHosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com The Actual Astronomy Podcast Episode 503 presents M55, Helix Nebula and other Observations. In this episode we talk about a long list of observing targets from the globular star cluster M55, the Helix planetary nebula and other objects. We read a listener who emails us a sky tour for the late summer as well. We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs. Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365Da...
2025-10-1655 min
The 365 Days of AstronomyActual Astronomy - Observer's Calendar For OctoberHosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com The Actual Astronomy Podcast presents Episode 502: The Observer's Calendar for October 2025. In this episode we talk about a long list of observing events from Carbon stars to many shadow transits of the Moon of Jupiter. Don't miss the Orionid meteor shower and catch Saturn with its rings edge on! We also discuss some stars and deep sky objects and two bright comets coming our way! Oct 1 - Monday Oct 1 - Carbon Star FU Mon is at it's best tonight Oct 2...
2025-10-0253 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#502 - Observer’s Calendar for October 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in October 2025. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
2025-09-2952 min
The 365 Days of AstronomyActual Astronomy - Featuring Constellation TaurusHosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com Episode 500! The Actual Astronomy Podcast presents Constellation Taurus. In this episode Chris and Shane celebrate their 500th episode by exploring all the nebulae and star clusters in Taurus. Taurus the Bull charges, head down toward Orion. The unmistakable V-shaped pattern marks the Hyades, catalogued as Melotte 25; this is the nearest open cluster at 153 light-years. First-magnitude Aldebaran burns red as the eye of the bull, but it is an accidental member being almost three times closer. ...
2025-09-1806 min
The 365 Days of AstronomyActual Astronomy - Observer's Calendar For SeptemberHosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com - Sept 1 - Aurigids ZHR=10 related to Comet Keiss The comet was discovered by Carl Clarence Kiess at Lick Observatory on a photographic plate obtained in the morning hours of 6 July 1911 with the Crocker photographic telescope. The comet appeared as a distorted nebulous object with a short tail. The presence of the comet was confirmed visually the next day. The comet had a well condensed nucleus and a faint tail. In photographs the tail was four degrees long. The comet then...
2025-09-0430 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#498 - Observer’s Calendar for September 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in September 2023. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
2025-09-0129 min
The 365 Days of AstronomyActual Astronomy - Listener EmailsHosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com The Actual Astronomy Podcast presents Listener Emails. In this episode we talk & read several listener emails including Observing Saturn, Equipment reports, telescope making, public outreach, a supernova photo and more! Our emailers: - Leonid - Frank Dempsy of Pickering, Ontario - Bill - Richard N. - Mike Peoples We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs. ...
2025-08-2145 min
The 365 Days of AstronomyActual Astronomy - The Observer's Calendar for August 2025Hosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com The Actual Astronomy Podcast presents The Observer's Calendar for August 2025. In this episode we talk about the Moon pairing with Antares, Saturn, Mars then Antares again! We also talk about finding 4 asteroids at oppositions, Ausonia, Pallas, Julia and Hebe. There is also a great line in the sky formed when Jupiter, Venus and the Moon line up with Castor and Pollux after mid-month. Aug 1 - Carbon Star V Cyg at it's best Aug 2 - Lunar Straight Wall a...
2025-07-3121 min
The 365 Days of AstronomyActual Astronomy - July Observer's GuideHosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan. actualastronomy@gmail.com The Actual Astronomy Podcast presents The Observer's Calendar for July 2025. In this episode we talk about how to see Mercury, the Moon as it pairs with Spica, Antares, Saturn, Jupiter, several carbon stars and some deep sky objects like M6 & M7. We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs. Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can! Share the po...
2025-07-0344 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#489 - Observer’s Calendar for July 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in July 2025. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
2025-06-3042 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#485 - Observer’s Calendar for June 2025Chris and Shane talk about interesting things to observe in June 2025. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
2025-06-0233 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#480 - The Observer’s Calendar for May 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in May 2025. Show notes available on www.actualastronomy.com
2025-04-2828 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#477 - Observer’s Calendar for April 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in April 2025. Show notes available on www.actualastronomy.com
2025-04-0728 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#473 - Sirius Observing in Canis MajorChris and Shane read a listener observing report that is an excellent guide to objects in Canis Major. Show notes available on www.actualastronomy.com
2025-03-1057 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#472 - The Observer’s Calendar for March 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in March 2025. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
2025-03-0351 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#463 - Observer’s Calendar for January 2025Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in January 2025. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
2024-12-3037 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#458 - Observer’s Calendar for December 2024Chris and Shane talk about interesting things to observe in December 2024. Show notes available on www.actualastronomy.com
2024-11-2541 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#454 The Observer’s Calendar for November 2024Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in November 2024. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
2024-10-2828 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#450 - Observer’s Calendar for October 2024Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in October 2024. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
2024-09-3027 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#447 - Stars and Birds with Dave ChapmanChris and Shane welcome Dave Chapman back to the podcast to discuss bird-themed constellations. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
2024-09-091h 01The Actual Astronomy Podcast#446 - The Observer’s Calendar for September 2024Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in September 2024. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
2024-09-0239 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#444 - Focusing on PerseusPerseus 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
2024-08-1953 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#442 - Observer’s Calendar for August 2024Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to add to your observing list. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
2024-07-2925 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#438 - Observer’s Calendar for July 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
2024-07-0128 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#429 - Observer’s Calendar for June 2024Chris and Shane talk interesting things to observe in June 2024. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
2024-05-3034 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#421 - Observer’s Calendar for May 2024Chris and Shane talk about interesting things to observe in May 2024. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
2024-05-0223 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#404 - Observer’s Calendar for March 2024Chris and Shane talk about interesting things to observe in March 2024. Show notes are available on www.actualastronomy.com
2024-03-0432 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#399 - Astronomy Books With Chris WilcoxChris and Shane welcome Chris Wilcox to the show to talk about astronomy books. Chris owns a small book store in the US and has some great recommendations. Show notes available on www.actualastronomy.com
2024-02-151h 09The Actual Astronomy Podcast#386 - Observer’s Calendar for January 2024Chris and Shane talk about interesting things to observe in January 2024. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
2024-01-0125 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#380 - Stars You Should Know - Southern Skies Edition with Dave ChapmanChris 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
2023-12-0449 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#379 - Observer’s Calendar for December 2023Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in December 2023. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
2023-11-3027 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#364 - Fall Stars You Should Know with Dave ChapmanDave Chapman returns to the podcast to continue the Stars You Should Knkw series. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
2023-10-0945 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#363 - Observer’s Calendar for October 2023Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in October. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
2023-10-0248 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#348 - Dave Chapman’s Star You Should Know for SummerChris and Shane welcome Dave Chapman back to the show to talk about the summer stars we should know. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
2023-08-071h 07The Actual Astronomy Podcast#304 - Objects to Observe in March 2023Chris and Shane discuss objects to observe in March 2023. Show notes can be found at www.actualastronomy.com
2023-03-0130 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#300 Part 2 - Live Recording Hosted by the Kitchener Waterloo RASC CentreChris and Shane did a live recording during the monthly Kitchener Waterloo RASC Centre monthly meeting. Check out www.actualastronomy.com for show reference documentation.
2023-02-1600 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#300 Part 1 - Live Recording Hosted by the Kitchener Waterloo RASC CentreChris and Shane did a live recording during the monthly Kitchener Waterloo RASC Centre monthly meeting. Check out www.actualastronomy.com for show reference documentation.
2023-02-1337 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#297 - Objects to Observe in February 2023Chris and Shane discuss objects to observe in February 2023. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
2023-02-0245 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#294 - Stars You Should Know With Dave ChapmanChris and Shane welcome Dave Chapman back to the podcast to talk about stars everyone should know. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
2023-01-2359 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#287 - Objects to Observe in January 2023Chris and Shane talk about lots of objects to observe in January 2023. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
2022-12-2930 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#272 - ATM-ing with Special Guest Tom OtvosChris and Shane discuss amateur telescope making with special guest Tom Otvos. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
2022-11-071h 00The Actual Astronomy Podcast#261 - Objects to Observe in October 2022Chris and Shane discuss interesting objects and events to observe in October 2022. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com.
2022-09-2936 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#239 - Observing Dark Nebula: A Beginner’s GuideChris and Shane list some excellent dark nebula to observe this summer. Show notes for this episode are found at www.actualastronomy.com
2022-07-1419 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#238 - Surfing the Summer Star CloudsChris 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
2022-07-1112 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#237 - Binocular Tour of the Summer Milky WayChris and Shane provide some objects to observe in the summer Milky Way. Show notes for this episode can be found at www.actualastronomy.com
2022-07-0715 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#235 - Objects to Observe in July 2022Chris and Shane discuss lots of great things to observe in July 2022. Show notes for the episode can be found at www.actualastronomy.com
2022-06-3037 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#233 - Scorpius Deep DiveChris and Shane discuss interesting deep sky objects to observe in Scorpius. Show notes can be found at www.actualastronomy.com
2022-06-2345 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#226 - Objects to Observe In June 2022Chris and Shane discuss objects to observe in June 2022. A list of everything discussed can be found at www.actualastronomy.com
2022-05-3038 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#209 - Objects to Observe in April 2022Chris and Shane take about interesting things to observe in April 2022. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
2022-03-3133 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#140 - Objects to Observe in August 2021Chris and Shane discuss solar system objects and events to observe in August. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
2021-08-0340 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#133 - Summer Binocular TourChris and Shane take listeners on a binocular tour of the night sky. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
2021-07-0854 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#131 - Objects to Observe in July 2021Chris and Shane discuss solar system objects and events to observe in July. Show notes available at www.actualastronomy.com
2021-07-0139 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#125 - Small Telescope ObservingShane delivers his presentation about why he enjoys using small telescopes. Download the presentation at www.actualastronomy.com to follow along.
2021-06-1055 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#113 - Big Aperture Observing - 20” f/3.3Special guest, amateur astronomer Bill Wier, joins Chris and Shane to talk about observing on the west coast of Canada with various telescopes including a 20” f/3.3 StarMaster dobsonian. Checkout the photos on www.actualastronomy.com
2021-04-2956 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#101 - Deep Sky Observing in Auriga, Gemini, and CancerChris and Shane discuss interesting deep sky objects that you can observe tonight! You can find show notes for this episode at actualastronomy.com.
2021-03-1852 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#91 - Telescopes and the Lunar XSpecial guest, Dave Chapman, joins Chris and Shane to chat about telescopes and his role in making the Lunar X a popular observational target. Check out actualastronomy.com for some extra links to Dave’s Lunar X article and YouTube video on telescopes.
2021-02-1156 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#87 - 3D Printing and AstronomySpecial guest Justin Wasner joins Chris and Shane on this episode. Justin is an amateur astronomer who also has a lot of knowledge and experience regarding 3D printing. Check out actualastronomy.com to see Justin’s presentation on 3D printing that he references in this episode.
2021-01-2847 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#86 - Chris and Shane’s Current Observing Projects/ListsIf you are looking for a new observing project, you might find some inspiration in this episode. Chris and Shane share the lists and projects that they are focusing on. More information regarding this episode can be found at www.actualastronomy.com
2021-01-2550 minThe Actual Astronomy Podcast#84 -Searching For New Dark Sky LocationsChris and Shane discuss a new location that might be a good dark sky observing site and share some tips how you can find a dark sky site near your home. A new website for Actual Astronomy is introduced as well, www.actualastronomy.com
2021-01-1841 min