AAA SKY

AAA SKY

By Amateur Astronomers Association of New YorkScienceTechnologyEducationAstronomy
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AAA SKY episodes

  • 15. Follow Your Bliss! – The Astronomical Journey of Matthias Schmitt

    In this episode Maggie discovers the amazing personal and professional journey of astronomer Matthias Schmitt, Dark Sky Coordinator at Cedar Breaks National Monument in Utah and an astronomy guide for Stargazing Zion. He is an avid eclipse chaser with observations in Oregon, Argentina, Oman, the Antarctic, and other locations.  Find out how joining an astronomy club, surrounding yourself with passion, and following your bliss, can change your life forever.  Read about Matthias’s most recent eclipse adventure to the Antarctic in an upcoming issue of the AAA newsletter, Eyepiece.

    AAASky Listener Challenge

    As Bart Fried described it, Jacob Campbell had a very, very large observatory in New York City in the 19th century. In which New York neighborhood was this observatory located?

    Hint: You can find the answer in last month's episode.

    Email us your answer at [email protected] by February 12th at 11:59pm. We'll select a random person with the correct answer and send them a AAASky hoodie!

    Have a question or a comment?

    Reach out to us at [email protected], even if just to say hi!

    46 min
  • 14. The History of Telescope-making in NYC with Bart Fried

    In this episode telescope historian Bart Fried recounts how New York City became the nation’s center for telescope-making in the early 19th century, and he discusses with Stan some impressive early observatories located in the city.  An episode chock full of anecdotes! And Maggie and Stan discuss Cassegrain telescopes and 19th century light pollution as well as their first telescope experiences.

    Notable Topics
    • Henry Draper
    • Henry Fitz
    • Lewis Morris Rutherford
    • John Byrne
    • Fitz/Clark 12-in Refractor
    • Stephen V. White
    AAASky Listener Challenge

    For which agency was Stan Honda working when he photographed the space shuttle launches?

    Email us your answer at [email protected] by January 13th at 11:59pm. We'll select a random person with the correct answer and send them a AAASky hoodie!

    Have a question or a comment?

    Reach out to us at [email protected], even if just to say hi!

    54 min
  • 13. Photographing the Space Shuttle with Stan Honda
    Have you ever dreamed of photographing rocket launches at Cape Canaveral? In this episode Maggie interviews renowned photographer Stan Honda about his experiences shooting launches of the Space Shuttle. Stan takes us to the Kennedy Space Center and recounts some humorous anecdotes all while giving us useful photography tips and techniques. And Maggie and Stan discuss why Florida’s weather is worth enduring.
    Find all of Stan's imagery on his website, https://www.stanhonda.com/images, or follow him on Instagram @stanhonda.
    Notable Topics
    Space Shuttle ColumbiaKennedy Space CenterVehicle Assembly Building
    AAASky Listener Challenge
    Where is the smart telescope Stellina made?
    Email us your answer at [email protected] by December 10th at 11:59pm. We'll select a random person with the correct answer and send them a AAASky hoodie!
    Have a question or a comment?
    Reach out to us at [email protected], even if just to say hi!
    57 min
  • 12. Making Astronomy Accessible to Everyone: The Advent of Smart Telescopes with Cyril Dupuy
    A telescope for the rest of us. In this first episode of AAA SKY’s second season, Stan
    interviews Vaonis founder Cyril Dupuy about his company’s Stellina and smart
    telescopes in general. Cyril’s dream is to open up astronomy and astrophotography to
    the greater population. Can smart telescopes eliminate the learning curve for
    observational astronomy or astrophotography? And welcome to Maggie Machinsky,
    our new co-host and newest member of the AAA SKY team!
    Notable Topics
    DevialetStellinapp for iOSStellinapp for Android
    AAA SKY Listener Challenge
    What inspired John Bills to start taking more pictures of the sky?
    Email us your answer at [email protected] before midnight on November 5th. We'll select a random person with the correct answer and send them a AAA SKY hoodie!
    Have a question or a comment?
    Reach out to us at [email protected], even if just to say hi!
    44 min
  • 11. Skywatching in NYC with John Bills
    For our last episode of the season and our first post-pandemic in-person interview, Irene and Stan together speak with John Bills, Chairman of the AAA, about the technology of and his experience in observing from the heart of the city that never sleeps. And we announce the winner of the last Listener Challenge of the season.
    Thanks for all your support on season 1!
    Notable Topics
    STELLINAPlate solvingStarSense Explorer TelescopesBrooklyn's Prettiest TelescopeNYPL Telescope Loan ProgramAAA Classes (including Mauri's and Alfredo's Urban Astrophotography)ManhattanhengeAAA Events CalendarJohn Bills' Leo Triplet from his rooftop
    Have a question or a comment?
    Reach out to us at [email protected], even if just to say hi!
    40 min
  • 10. Full Steam Ahead
    In this episode Irene interviews David Pentecost about building and using a Planetarium at the Lower East Side Girls Club. Stanley and Irene discuss how the organization takes advantage of the Planetarium for more than just astronomy. And we announce our first winner of the AAA SKY Listener Challenge!
    Notable Topics
    Spitz PlanetariumsEast Village PlanetariumUNIVIEWOpenSpaceNASA International Space Apps ChallengeAPIAdirondack Sky Center
    AAA SKY Listener Challenge
    What is Dr. Allyson Sheffield's favorite type of star?
    Email us your answer at [email protected] by June 26th at 11:59pm. We'll select a random person with the correct answer and send them a AAA SKY hoodie!
    Have a question or a comment?
    Reach out to us at [email protected], even if just to say hi!
    50 min
  • 9. Hungry, Hungry Galaxies
    In this episode Stanley interviews Dr. Allyson Sheffield about the Milky Way’s history of interactions with satellite galaxies and the clues left behind in each galaxy by such encounters. And Irene and Stanley introduce a new feature to AAASky.
    Notable Topics
    Untangling the streamers in the Milky WayCUNY AstroFaculty and Student Team (FAST) InitiativeChemodynamically Characterizing the Jhelum Stellar Stream with APOGEE-2
    AAASky Listener Challenge
    What is the name of the Pre-Columbian site in the United States that Jorge Colorado recommended as a must see?
    Email us your answer at [email protected] by June 13th at 11:59pm. We'll select a random person with the correct answer and send them a AAASky hoodie!
    Have a question or a comment?
    Reach out to us at [email protected], even if just to say hi!
    36 min
  • 8. Archeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy
    In this episode Irene interviews AAA Member and anthropologist Jorge Colorado about ancient astronomy and some of his favorite world sites where astronomy plays a major role in the architecture. Stanley discusses some of his visits to these sites and Irene plans a trip.
    Notable Topics
    Locations
    CihuatanSan AndreasJoya de CerénCahokiaChichen ItzaAngkor WatSerpent Mound
    Videos on Jorge's YouTube channel
    Geology in Central ParkUpcoming Lunar Eclipse
    Have a question or a comment?
    Reach out to us at [email protected], even if just to say hi!
    38 min
  • 7. Black Holes
    In this episode Stanley interviews Dr. Jillian Bellovary about black holes of all sizes and the questions surrounding them. Dr. Bellovary describes her research into the formation of intermediate-mass black holes within the accretion disks of supermassive ones as well as off-center black holes in dwarf galaxies. And Irene discusses Dr. Bellovary’s calculation of the carbon footprint of her scientific research.
    See Dr. Bellovary’s paper The Origins of Off-Center Massive Black Holes in Dwarf Galaxies.
    Have a question or a comment?
    Reach out to us at [email protected], even if just to say hi!
    31 min
  • 6. Interview with Chuck Nice
    In this episode we listen in on Irene’s far-reaching discussion with StarTalk co-host Chuck Nice, in which he discusses astronomy, sports and climate change, in addition to StarTalk. And Stanley and Irene reveal the secret of why AAA club members love to do public stargazing events.
    Notable Topics
    Shhh, It's Real!Pod ZeroarXiv.orgAAA Calendar of Events
    Have a question or a comment?
    Reach out to us at [email protected], even if just to say hi!
    51 min

About AAA SKY

From the publisher's feed

AAA SKY is the Amateur Astronomers Association's podcast for astronomy fans in New York City and beyond. Join co-hosts Maggie, Kat, and Stanley as they interview club members, prominent scientists,…