Meet Star Gazers – Details, episodes & analysis

Dr. Bridgette Farnworth has done insightful research on rat behaviour, predation risk, the New Zealand Weta, light pollution and insects. In this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing her on the effects of light pollution on rodents and insects.

Time stamps :

• 01:26 : What brought you to dark sky advocacy ? and When did you get started ?
• 04:23 : How does light pollution affect rodents ?
• 10:41 : What are the harmful effects of light pollution on insects ?
• 16:43 : What can our listeners do to mitigate the harmful effects of light pollution on the environment ?
• 19:15 : Where can our listeners learn more about your work and light pollution in general ?

Useful links and resources :

• Dr. Bridgette Farnworth on Twitter
• Australasian Dark Sky Alliance
• International Dark-Sky Association

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In addition to being an exemplary astronomer, Dr. James D. Lowenthal has spent decades advocating for dark skies. In this episode, he shares with us useful information on dark sky tourism in Massachusetts.

Time stamps :

• 03:07 : Have there been any measures implemented in Massachusetts's dark sky parks to reduce or limit light pollution ?
• 05:56 : Can one see the Milky Way from Massachusetts ? If yes, when can one see the Milky Way from Massachusetts ?
• 07:56 : Are there any observatories in the region ?
• 10:04 : Are there any planetariums in the region ?
• 10:56 : Are there any astronomy clubs in the region ?
• 12:26 : Are there opportunities for doing nightscape astrophotography in Massachusetts ?
• 14:39 : Is there a possibility to do nocturnal nature trails in Massachusetts ?
• 16:39 : Are there any dark sky friendly bed and breakfasts in Massachusetts ?

Useful links and resources :

• IDA Massachusetts
• International Dark-Sky Association
• McConnell Rooftop Observatory
• Wilder Observatory
• MIT Wallace Astrophysical Observatory
• MIT Haystack Observatory
• Bassett Planetarium
• Seymour Planetarium
• Charles Hayden Planetarium
• Springfield Telescope And Reflector Society
• Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston
• Astronomical Society of Southern New England
• Stellafane
• Outdoor Street Lighting, Glare, and Circadian Rhythm Disturbance

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Dan Oakley is a Lead Ranger and Dark Skies Officer for the South Downs National Park. In this episode, Dan talks to us about opportunities offered by South Downs National Park for stargazing and nightscape astrophotography.

Time Stamps :

• 03:57 : Have there been any measures implemented in South Downs National Park to reduce or limit light pollution ?
• 07:33 : Can one see the Milky Way from South Downs National Park ? When can one see the Milky Way from South Downs National Park ?
• 10:05 : Are there any observatories near South Downs National Park ?
• 12:25 : Are there any planetariums near South Downs National Park ?
• 15:12 : Are there any astronomy clubs near South Downs National Park ?
• 17:18 : Are there opportunities for doing nightscape astrophotography in South Downs National Park ?
• 20:01 : Is there a possibility to do nocturnal nature trails in South Downs National Park ?
• 22:04 : Are there any dark sky friendly Bed and Breakfasts in South Downs National Park ?

Useful Links and Resources :

• South Downs NP Dark Skies
• South Downs Planetarium & Science Centre
• Hampshire Astronomical Group
• Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium
• The Observatory Science Centre
• South Downs NP Dark Skies Technical Advice Note
• Brighton and Hove's Astronomy Club
• Worthing Astronomers
• Wealden Astronomers
• Worthing Astronomical Society
• Eastbourne Astronomical Society
• South Downs Astrophotography Competition
• South Downs Dark Skies Welcome Scheme for Business
• Best Locations for Stargazing : Meet Star Gazers

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Cranborne Chase AONB has excellent dark night skies. In this episode, astronomer Stephen Tonkin talks to us about opportunities offered by Cranborne Chase AONB for stargazing and nightscape astrophotography.

Time Stamps :

• 06:10 : Have there been any measures implemented in Cranborne Chase AONB to reduce or limit light pollution ?
• 10:46 : Can one see the Milky Way from Cranborne Chase AONB ? When can one see the Milky Way from Cranborne Chase AONB ?
• 11:56 : Are there any observatories near Cranborne Chase AONB ?
• 12:54 : Are there any planetariums near Cranborne Chase AONB ?
• 13:59 : Are there any astronomy clubs near Cranborne Chase AONB ?
• 15:51 : Are there opportunities for doing nightscape astrophotography in Cranborne Chase AONB ?
• 18:00 : Is there a possibility to do nocturnal nature trails in Cranborne Chase AONB ?
• 20:57 : Are there any dark sky friendly Bed and Breakfasts in Cranborne Chase AONB ?

Useful Links and Resources :

• Cranborne Chase AONB
• Chasing Stars
• Wessex Astronomical Society
• Fordingbridge Astronomers
• StarQuest Astronomy Club
• Wells and Mendip Astronomers
• The Binocular Sky
• Best Locations for Stargazing : Meet Star Gazers

If you liked this episode, please consider buying me a coffee.

Dr. Chirag Upreti's journey in nightscape astrophotography started with his interest in the night sky. In this episode, he shares with us precious tips and recommendations on how to photograph a lunar eclipse.

Time Stamps :

• 04:53 : How should one plan to photograph a lunar eclipse ?
• 07:22 : What is the minimal gear required to photograph a lunar eclipse ?
• 09:14 : What settings do you recommend to photograph a lunar eclipse ?
• 23:29 : How do you interpret a histogram ?
• 27:33 : How does one focus his or her camera to photograph a lunar eclipse ?
• 32:32 : How to focus at infinity ?
• 35:22 : How does one post-process images of a lunar eclipse ?

Useful Links and Resources :

• Dr. Chirag Upreti
• Dr. Chirag Upreti on Instagram
• Xavier Jubier
• Mr. Eclipse
• Time and Date
• StarStaX
• Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom
• Best Locations for Stargazing : Meet Star Gazers

If you liked this episode, please consider buying me a coffee.

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The northern lights, also known as aurorae, are an awe inspiring phenomenon at the confluence of science and nature. In this episode, Dr. Melanie Windridge, an exemplary plasma physicist, shares precious insights on chasing the aurora.

Time Stamps :

• 06:33 : What does aurora borealis mean ?
• 08:04 : What causes the aurora borealis ?
• 16:03 : Can you see the northern lights with the naked eye ?
• 17:33 : What colour are the northern lights ?
• 22:15 : What is the best time to see aurora borealis ?
• 24:18 : How often do auroras appear ? Do the northern lights happen every night ?
• 28:55 : How long do the northern lights last ?
• 35:03 : Can aurora be predicted ? How far in advance can northern lights be predicted ?
• 39:01 : What is KP index for aurora forecast ?
• 45:07 : Where is the best place to see the northern lights ?
• 49:05 : What is the southern most place to see the northern lights ?

Useful Links and Resources :

• Dr. Melanie Windridge
• Fusion Energy Insights
• Books authored by Dr. Melanie Windridge
• Dr. Melanie Windridge on Instagram
• Dr. Melanie Windridge on Facebook
• Dr. Melanie Windridge on Twitter
• Fusion Energy Insights on LinkedIn
• Dr. Melanie Windridge on YouTube

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For his numerous contributions to the field of amateur astronomy across the past five decades, Phil Harrington was awarded the 2018 Walter Scott Houston Award at that year's Stellafane convention in Springfield, Vermont. In this episode, I have the honour of interviewing Phil on the topic of observing the night sky through binoculars.

Time Stamps :

• 03:59 : Can binoculars be used for stargazing ?
• 05:39 : What to look for in binoculars for stargazing ?
• 12:53 : Which binoculars would you recommend for astronomy ?
• 23:35 : How should one mount binoculars for stargazing ?
• 33:56 : How to observe the Moon with binoculars ?
• 36:07 : Can we observe planets with binoculars ?
• 39:42 : Could you please take us through some of the deep sky objects to observe with binoculars ?

Useful Links and Resources :

• Phil Harrington
• Phil Harrington's Cosmic Challenge
• Phil Harrington's Binocular Universe
• Touring the Universe through Binoculars
• Cosmic Challenge: The Ultimate Observing List for Amateurs

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Hailey Osborn is an educator at the Lowell Observatory. In this episode, we discuss the fundamentals of lunar eclipses. 

Time Stamps :

• 01:33 : What is a lunar eclipse ? What happens during a lunar eclipse ?
• 02:16 : What are the types of lunar eclipses ?
• 02:54 : How often does a lunar eclipse happen ?
• 03:28 : What is the difference between a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse ?
• 04:05 : Why is a lunar eclipse longer than a solar eclipse ?
• 04:22 : Why doesn't a lunar eclipse occur every month ?
• 04:41 : Why does the Moon appear red during a lunar eclipse ?
• 05:13 : What is the difference between the umbra and the penumbra of a lunar eclipse ?
• 05:33 : From where is a lunar eclipse visible ?

Useful Links and Resources :

• Lowell Observatory on Youtube
• Lunar Phases and Eclipses - NASA Science - Solar System Exploration
• Lunar Eclipse Page - NASA
• Why not an eclipse at every full and new moon ?
• Lunar eclipses: What are they & when is the next one ?
• Lunar Eclipse Facts for Kids
• Mr. Eclipse by Fred Espenak

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Michel Deconinck has been an amateur astronomer for more than 50 years. In this episode, I have the privilege of interviewing him on how to observe the Sun safely.

Safety Warning : If you are thinking of viewing the Sun, your first concern should always be eye safety. Serious eye damage can result from even a brief glimpse of our nearest star. Never view the Sun directly with the naked eye or with any unfiltered optical device, such as binoculars or a telescope !  (Source : ESA / Science & Exploration / Space Science)

Only use filters from reputable sources, and never use a "solar filter" that screws into an eyepiece. As Richard Hill states in Observe and Understand the Sun: "Observing the sun is the only inherently dangerous observing an amateur astronomer can do. Be aware of this at all times and take all necessary precautions. If you do not know a filter or procedure is safe then do not use it ! Always err on the side of safety. An eye once damaged is forever damaged. Filters that let too much INFRARED light through can burn an eye if used visually. There is NO PAIN when this happens. Burned retinas can not be repaired. Excessive ULTRAVIOLET light has been shown to cause cataracts. So be very careful." (Source : Sunspotter Observing Program of The Astronomical League)

Time Stamps :

• 05:24 : What is the Sun made of ? How does the Sun work ?
• 07:35 : How hot is the Sun ?
• 08:44 : What colour is the Sun ?
• 10:11 : What are solar prominences (i.e. flares) and sunspots ?
• 16:11 : How to observe the Sun safely ?
• 17:56 : How does a solar filter work ? What is a solar filter made of ?
• 19:27 : What is a Hydrogen alpha filter ?
• 21:27 : Can I look at the Sun with binoculars ?

Useful Links and Resources :

• Aquarellia
• Astronomy - Aquarellia
• Astronomy during Lockdowns - Aquarellia
• Sunspot Index and Long-term Solar Observations
• Solar Section - American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
• Solar Dynamics Observatory - Data

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Matt Woods is the tour administrator at Perth Observatory. In this episode, he shares with us his recommendations on how to best prepare for observing the Geminid meteor shower.

Time Stamps :

• 03:51 : What is a meteor and a meteor shower ?
• 04:35 : Why do meteor showers occur ?
• 06:07 : What causes the Geminid meteor shower ?
• 07:53 : Are meteor showers and shooting stars the same thing ?
• 08:09 : What is the difference between a meteoroid, a meteor and a meteorite ?
• 08:43 : What is a fireball ?
• 10:16 : What is the radiant of a meteor shower ?
• 11:46 : What is the ZHR of a meteor shower ?
• 12:52 : What is a persistent train in the context of a meteor ?
• 15:00 : When does the Geminid meteor shower occur ? What time can I observe the Geminid meteor shower ?
• 17:31 : Where in the sky do I look for the Geminid meteor shower ? Which direction do I need to look to observe the Geminid meteor shower ?
• 19:07 : Will the Geminid meteor shower be visible from the southern as well as the northern hemisphere ?
• 19:56 : Does the presence of the Moon affect meteor shower observation ?

Useful Links and Resources :

• International Meteor Organization
• American Meteor Society
• Stellarium
• Time and Date
• Best Locations for Stargazing : Meet Star Gazers

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