Observers Notebook

Episode 187

In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to a number of observers of the April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse to get their first hand experience.

Special thanks to Ken Poshedly, John Oneal, Keith Drake, Daniel Herron, Lisa Tate-Holmes and Scott Harris for sharing their experiences.

As the Total Solar Eclipse of 2024 becomes a memorable astronomical event witnessed by many, it will be preserved and shared by observers through documented visual observations and vivid personal recollections. The ALPO wishes to share all the depth and nuance of this experience as well as its scientific and measured magnitude in an upcoming issue of Journal of the ALPO.

Please send in your observations and reports, whether they be images, drawings, diagrams, or written documentation and descriptions to:

PLEASE NOTE ECLIPSE OBSERVATIONS PREVIOUSLY SENT TO [email protected] SHOULD BE RESENT TO THE ABOVE EMAIL ADDRESS.

Reports should include the following information and data:

Observer’s name and exact location of the observation. Include an actual address, the city, state, and country or if in a rural location, an approximation, as well as latitude and longitude from where you observed the eclipse.

Date and time (Universal Time preferred) include “eclipse contacts” would be helpful.

• First contact occurs when the partial phase of the eclipse begins

• Second contact is when a total phase begins

• Third contact is when the total phase ends

• Fourth contact occurs when the partial phase ends.

Include an exact time for any specific events or observations observed with the naked eye or with instrumentation.

Instrumentation details including type of optical aid (telescope, binoculars, naked-eye, etc.), focal length, aperture (inches or mm), filter details (if used).

Sky conditions should include seeing (steadiness) and transparency as well as general sky conditions. Report weather descriptions, especially from any weather instruments brought to your site.

Written descriptions and impressions are welcome too, about what was observed at various stages of the eclipse. This can include observations during the partial phases concerning wildlife, sky darkening, shadow bands just before and after totality, and any other environmental effects. Be sure to note the time for these events. For totality, size, shape, and extent of the corona, prominences, chromosphere, etc. are of interest as well as sky colors, visibility of landscape, visual identification of planets, stars, etc., including weather conditions at the time. Visual impressions of the diamond ring are welcome too.

We hope it was a wonderful eclipse wherever you were and that you will share your observations with us. The ALPO will analyze and report these observations collectively, in an upcoming issue of the Journal.

For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:

www.alpo-astronomy.org/

You can also support this podcast at Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/ObserversNotebook

Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook

Subscribe on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/AssociationofLunarandPlanetaryObservers

Subscribe on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/observers-notebook-the-alpo-podcast/id1199301885?mt=2

I want to thank the Producers of this podcast, Steve Siedentop and Michael Moyer for their generous support of the Observers Notebook.

Our Patreons:

Jerry White

Jason Inman

Matt Will

Steve Seidentop

Stephen Bennett

Michael Moyer

Shawn Dilles

Frank Schenck

Damian Allis

Carl Hergenrother

Julian Parks

Michael McShan

Michael Blake

Nick Evetts

Rik Hill

Stan Sienkiewicz

Episode 186

In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Jim Lackner, the resident Astronomer at Butterfield RV Resort and Observatory.

Jim gives us a brief history of the RV Resort, the telescope and the night time programs he conducts there..

You can find out more about the RV Resort at:

https://www.rv-resort.com/

For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:

www.alpo-astronomy.org/

You can also support this podcast at Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/ObserversNotebook

Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook

Subscribe on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/AssociationofLunarandPlanetaryObservers

Subscribe on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/observers-notebook-the-alpo-podcast/id1199301885?mt=2

I want to thank the Producers of this podcast, Steve Siedentop and Michael Moyer for their generous support of the Observers Notebook.

Our Patreons:

Jerry White

Jason Inman

Matt Will

Steve Seidentop

Stephen Bennett

Michael Moyer

Shawn Dilles

Frank Schenck

Damian Allis

Carl Hergenrother

Julian Parks

Michael McShan

Michael Blake

Nick Evetts

Rik Hill

Stan Sienkiewicz

Episode 185

In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Meteor Section Coordinator, Bob Lunsford about the upcoming Spring time Meteor Showers.

You can contact Bob at:

International Meteor Organization

https://www.imo.net/

For the latest information from the ALPO Meteor Section you can visit:

http://www.amsmeteors.org/

Meteors From Space Website:

https://www.meteorshowers.org/view/Eta-Aquariids

All Sky Camera

https://www.alcor-system.com/new/AllSky/Alphea_camera.html

For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:

www.alpo-astronomy.org/

You can also support this podcast at Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/ObserversNotebook

Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook

Subscribe on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/AssociationofLunarandPlanetaryObservers

Subscribe on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/observers-notebook-the-alpo-podcast/id1199301885?mt=2

I want to thank the Producers of this podcast, Steve Siedentop and Michael Moyer for their generous support of the Observers Notebook.

Our Patreons:

Jerry White

Jason Inman

Matt Will

Steve Seidentop

Stephen Bennett

Michael Moyer

Shawn Dilles

Frank Schenck

Damian Allis

Carl Hergenrother

Julian Parks

Michael McShan

Michael Blake

Nick Evetts

Rik Hill

Stan Sienkiewicz

Episode 184

In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Rica French, Professor Astronomy and Program Director at Mira Costa College in Oceanside California.

You can contact Rica at:

For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:

www.alpo-astronomy.org/

You can also support this podcast at Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/ObserversNotebook

Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook

Subscribe on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/AssociationofLunarandPlanetaryObservers

Subscribe on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/observers-notebook-the-alpo-podcast/id1199301885?mt=2

I want to thank the Producers of this podcast, Steve Siedentop and Michael Moyer for their generous support of the Observers Notebook.

Our Patreons:

Jerry White

Jason Inman

Matt Will

Steve Seidentop

Stephen Bennett

Michael Moyer

Shawn Dilles

Frank Schenck

Damian Allis

Carl Hergenrother

Julian Parks

Michael McShan

Michael Blake

Nick Evetts

Rik Hill

Stan Sienkiewicz

Episode 183

In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO member Greg Shanos about the new smart telescope, the SeeStar S50.

You can contact Greg at:

The SeeStar website

https://www.seestar.com/

Measuring asteroid rotation with the Seestar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5nqQgb3bB8

For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:

www.alpo-astronomy.org/

You can also support this podcast at Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/ObserversNotebook

Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook

Subscribe on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/AssociationofLunarandPlanetaryObservers

Subscribe on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/observers-notebook-the-alpo-podcast/id1199301885?mt=2

I want to thank the Producers of this podcast, Steve Siedentop and Michael Moyer for their generous support of the Observers Notebook.

Our Patreons:

Jerry White

Jason Inman

Matt Will

Steve Seidentop

Stephen Bennett

Michael Moyer

Shawn Dilles

Frank Schenck

Damian Allis

Carl Hergenrother

Julian Parks

Michael McShan

Michael Blake

Nick Evetts

Rik Hill

Stan Sienkiewicz

Episode 182

In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson speaks with Founder & Director at Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo Pranvera Hyseni.

Pranvera and I talk astronomy outreach and her efforts in getting a national planetarium and observatory in Kosovo, and her currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Science at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

You can contact Pranvera at:

Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Astronomy-Outreach-of-Kosovo-1403858876575289

For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:

www.alpo-astronomy.org/

You can also support this podcast at Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/ObserversNotebook

Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook

Subscribe on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/AssociationofLunarandPlanetaryObservers

Subscribe on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/observers-notebook-the-alpo-podcast/id1199301885?mt=2

I want to thank the Producers of this podcast, Steve Siedentop and Michael Moyer for their generous support of the Observers Notebook.

Our Patreons:

Jerry White

Jason Inman

Matt Will

Steve Seidentop

Stephen Bennett

Michael Moyer

Shawn Dilles

Frank Schenck

Damian Allis

Carl Hergenrother

Julian Parks

Michael McShan

Michael Blake

Nick Evetts

Rik Hill

Stan Sienkiewicz

Episode 181

In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to professional astronomer, author and Comet discoverer Alan Hale.

You can contact Alan at:

Everybody’s Comet

https://www.amazon.com/Everybodys-Comet-Laymans-Guide-Hale-Bopp/dp/0944383386/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2QLD55TJWVGSX&keywords=alan+hale&qid=1704567424&sprefix=alan+hale%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-2

The Earthrise website

http://www.earthriseinstitute.org/

HaleBopp.org

http://earthriseinstitute.org/is20home.html

For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:

www.alpo-astronomy.org/

You can also support this podcast at Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/ObserversNotebook

Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook

Subscribe on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/AssociationofLunarandPlanetaryObservers

Subscribe on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/observers-notebook-the-alpo-podcast/id1199301885?mt=2

I want to thank the Producers of this podcast, Steve Siedentop and Michael Moyer for their generous support of the Observers Notebook.

Our Patreons:

Jerry White

Jason Inman

Matt Will

Steve Seidentop

Stephen Bennett

Michael Moyer

Shawn Dilles

Frank Schenck

Damian Allis

Carl Hergenrother

Julian Parks

Michael McShan

Michael Blake

Nick Evetts

Rik Hill

Stan Sienkiewic

Episode 180

In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the Executive Director of the ALPO Ken Poshedly about where the ALPO currently stands and what he sees for the future.

You can contact Ken at:

For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:

www.alpo-astronomy.org/

You can also support this podcast at Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/ObserversNotebook

Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook

Subscribe on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/AssociationofLunarandPlanetaryObservers

Subscribe on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/observers-notebook-the-alpo-podcast/id1199301885?mt=2

I want to thank the Producers of this podcast, Steve Siedentop and Michael Moyer for their generous support of the Observers Notebook.

Our Patreons:

Jerry White

Jason Inman

Matt Will

Steve Seidentop

Stephen Bennett

Michael Moyer

Shawn Dilles

Frank Schenck

Damian Allis

Carl Hergenrother

Julian Parks

Michael McShan

Michael Blake

Nick Evetts

Rik Hill

Stan Sienkiewicz

Episode 178

In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Eclipse expert, John ONeal, about the upcoming total solar eclipse, and contact information.

You can contact John at:

Send your eclipse observations to:

Imaging Software recommendations for DSLR & Smartphones: Moonglow Technologies - Eclipse Orchestrator for DSLR Cameras

http://eclipseorchestrator.com/products/EclipseOrchestrator/index.shtml

Solar Snap App for Smartphones Solar Snap - The Eclipse App (astrosociety.org)

https://myasp.astrosociety.org/product/SolarSnap2023/solar-snap-the-eclipse-app

Solar Eclipse Timer for timing events during the Eclipse Solar Eclipse Timer App

https://www.solareclipsetimer.com/

For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:

www.alpo-astronomy.org/

You can also support this podcast at Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/ObserversNotebook

Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook

Subscribe on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/AssociationofLunarandPlanetaryObservers

Subscribe on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/observers-notebook-the-alpo-podcast/id1199301885?mt=2

I want to thank the Producers of this podcast, Steve Siedentop and Michael Moyer for their generous support of the Observers Notebook.

Our Patreons:

Jerry White

Jason Inman

Matt Will

Steve Seidentop

Stephen Bennett

Michael Moyer

Shawn Dilles

Frank Schenck

Damian Allis

Carl Hergenrother

Julian Parks

Michael McShan

Michael Blake

Nick Evetts

Rik Hill

Stan Sienkiewicz

Episode 179

In this episode of the Observers Notebook podcast, host Tim Robertson talks to the ALPO Comets Section Coordinator Carl Hergenrother.

Carl again comes on the podcast to bring us The Comets of 2024, which is always one of our most popular podcasts and his contact information.

You can contact Carl at:

ALPO Comets Section blog:

http://www.alpo-astronomy.org/cometblog/

For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at:

www.alpo-astronomy.org/

You can also support this podcast at Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/ObserversNotebook

Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook

Subscribe on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/c/AssociationofLunarandPlanetaryObservers

Subscribe on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/observers-notebook-the-alpo-podcast/id1199301885?mt=2

I want to thank the Producers of this podcast, Steve Siedentop and Michael Moyer for their generous support of the Observers Notebook.

Our Patreons:

Jerry White

Jason Inman

Matt Will

Steve Seidentop

Stephen Bennett

Michael Moyer

Shawn Dilles

Frank Schenck

Damian Allis

Carl Hergenrother

Julian Parks

Michael McShan

Michael Blake

Nick Evetts

Rik Hill

Stan Sienkiewicz