Space Junk

Latest Episodes:

We have Little Chance of Hearing Other Civilizations; APO's vs Catadioptric Telescopes; Another Black Hole Question Feb 26, 2022

Show notes

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.

How Do We Know There are Other Planets in Our Galaxy?; Picking Your First Object to Image; Tony Gets an Email! Feb 16, 2022

Show notes

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!

Black Holes - A Guided Tour; Telescope Autoguiders - What Good are They?; Update on JWST Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

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.

Is Earth's Magnetic Field Flipping?; Smart Telescopes; Orion The Hunter Feb 02, 2022

Show notes

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.

Terraforming the Moon; Building a Beginner Astrophotography Rig; Amateur Astronomer Discovers Hot Jupiter Jan 26, 2022

Show notes

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.

Narrow Band Filters: What You Need to Know Jan 12, 2022

Show notes

Imaging with filters can dramatically improve the signal to your camera allowing for much higher quality images. The question of which filter to use on what object can be daunting. Dustin and Tony dive into the topic of filters, specifically narrow band filters to give you insight on what they are, what you can get from using them and what to look for in a good filter.

Thoughts on The James Webb Space Telescope Dec 22, 2021

Show notes

At long last, the launch of the next big NASA flagship telescopes: JWST is ready for launch, sitting atop its rocket and awaiting good weather. This telescope marks the pinnacle of ambition for NASA as it is doing something that has never been done before. Launching a telescope of this size is a first for the human race and promises to bring us insights about our place in the universe like nothing that has come before.

Humanity will look farther into the universe than ever and JWST, the most technically advanced and capable telescope ever built, will collect light from a time when the very first stars and galaxies were born.

In this episode, Dustin and Tony talk about this amazing telescope, and we answer a listener question about getting Stellina or eVscope for an astronomy club.

All About Astronomy Filters Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

Using filters in amateur astronomy can be confusing, but once you get through some of the basics, they can really enhance your sessions under the stars - either visually or photographically. In this episode, Tony and Dustin go through filter basics, what they can do for you visually and when imaging, as well as offer advice on which ones to get and why.

We also go over filter wheel options and strategies for using all of this amazing optical gear.

Getting Started in Astronomy Imaging Nov 24, 2021

Show notes

Taking images through your telescope has never been easier. What used to be complicated, time-consuming and expensive is now accessible to people who've never used a telescope before. Getting started in taking pictures of the night sky is orders of magnitude simpler than it was decades ago when film reigned supreme.

Now, with modest equipment budding astrophotographers can achieve amazing results right out of the gate, but navigating all that gear can be overwhelming. In this episode of Space Junk Podcast, we'll explore strategies and gear to get you off to a roaring start taking images that will please your family, friends and all your social media followers.

Building a Backyard Observatory: What You Should Know Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

Building your own observatory is a great way to enhance your enjoyment of getting out under the stars. Whether it's a simple cover for your tripod-mounted telescope, an easy to build roll off roof on a shed, or a beautiful clam-shell dome with all the bells and whistles, having an observatory can increase the amount of time using your equipment while decreasing your stress level.

In this episode Dustin and Tony discuss all options for creating a personal observatory to house your equipment and offer advice and tips for making your observatory easily and with minimal mistakes.

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