Space Junk
Science Podcasts
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
Location:
United States
Genres:
Science Podcasts
Description:
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
Twitter:
@DeepAstronomy
Language:
English
Contact:
3867471019
Website:
https://spacejunkpodcast.com/
Episodes
Complete Telescope Systems vs Assembling From Components - Which is Better?
3/15/2023
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
Duration:00:59:09
Backyard Observatories: Tony is Finally Building His, Should You?
2/24/2023
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
Duration:01:01:54
The Search for Intelligence in the Universe w/ Beth Johnson from SETI Institute
2/1/2023
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
Duration:01:01:36
How Autoguiders Can Help You Find the Meaning of Life
1/25/2023
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
Duration:01:01:23
Askar Astrographs // Degree for an Astronomy Job? // Becoming an Expert
1/18/2023
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
Duration:01:01:13
New iOptron Mounts // The Growing Problem of LED Streetlighting
1/11/2023
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
Duration:00:47:05
NASA's Artemis Mission: What is Tony's Problem?
1/4/2023
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
Duration:01:07:11
Space Junk Podcast is Back
12/14/2022
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/
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
Duration:00:51:48
The Search for the Perfect Telescope; Camera Resolution Wars - It's like magnification all over again
3/11/2022
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
Duration:00:49:28
Pro-Am Astronomy Collaboration; Celestron RASA and Other Wide Field Telescopes
3/4/2022
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
Duration:01:03:06
We have Little Chance of Hearing Other Civilizations; APO's vs Catadioptric Telescopes; Another Black Hole Question
2/26/2022
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
Duration:00:55:04
How Do We Know There are Other Planets in Our Galaxy?; Picking Your First Object to Image; Tony Gets an Email!
2/17/2022
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...
Duration:00:55:23
Black Holes - A Guided Tour; Telescope Autoguiders - What Good are They?; Update on JWST
2/9/2022
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
Duration:00:52:00
Is Earth's Magnetic Field Flipping?; Smart Telescopes; Orion The Hunter
2/2/2022
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
Duration:00:49:56
Terraforming the Moon; Building a Beginner Astrophotography Rig; Amateur Astronomer Discovers Hot Jupiter
1/26/2022
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
Duration:00:52:29
Narrow Band Filters: What You Need to Know
1/12/2022
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.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spacejunk/support
Duration:00:53:21
Narrow Band Filters: What Are They and How Can They Help You?
1/5/2022
Narrow band filters have become a standard part of the imagers toolkit. They block out unwanted light and improve the contrast of your images, especially with certain objects like nebulae and galaxies.
In this episode, Dustin and Tony lay out the specifics of what these filters are and how they can help you get better imaging results.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/spacejunk/support
Duration:01:00:06
Thoughts on The James Webb Space Telescope
12/22/2021
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...
Duration:01:06:49
All About Astronomy Filters
12/1/2021
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.
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Duration:01:00:47
Getting Started in Astronomy Imaging
11/24/2021
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...
Duration:00:59:26