In this episode we are going to be talking with John Michael Godier, a futurist, science fiction author and maker of amazing astronomy videos on YouTube. He has written several sci fi books that are available on Amazon, notably Supermind, a story that deals with biological augmentation and supercomputer simulations of the universe. He also runs two highly successful YouTube channels: one bearing his name, John Michael Godier, where every video he makes garners tens of thousands of views - and so...
Jul 10, 2019•57 min•Season 1Ep. 34
This episode features one of the best astrophotographers around: iDeepSpace. From his home in Tampa, FL, Jeremiah takes some of the most breathtaking images we've ever seen. He's been features on many APODs and feeds from all over the internet. Listen in to this week's episode to learn more about iDeepSpace and how he takes his images.
Jun 27, 2019•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 33
One of the most challenging aspects of astro imaging with todays wonderful telescopes and cameras is focusing. While your GOTO telescope can easily zero in on obscure, faint nebulae and galaxies and your camera can take breathtaking high-contrast images, nothing happens without good focus. In this episode, we talk with Jeff Dickerman from Optic Inc, a company that makes wonderful automatic focusers and more.
Jun 18, 2019•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 32
In this episode, Dustin and Tony talk with Bray Falls, an advanced astrophotographer who is sharing his ideas, tips and techniques with all of us.
Jun 10, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 31
What's it like to go to a solar eclipse? What equipment should you use? How can you image during an eclipse? What are the various wavelengths available for solar observing? All of these questions and more are revealed in our conversation with Dr. Jay Pasachoff, solar astronomers and Chair, International Astronomical Union Working Group on Solar Eclipses .
Jun 05, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Once again the amazing Skylias joins the gang at Space Junk Podcast to talk about astronomy on twitch and being an astronomy communicator in this digital age.
May 31, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Time for round two with Fraser Cain from Universe Today. In this episode, we dive into the topic of "Where is everybody?"
May 25, 2019•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 27
What happens when a cosmologist, a local brewery and amateur astronomers all get together? This episode! Dr. Nick Galitzki, a cosmologist working with balloons in Antarctica to study the large scale structure of the universe, talks with the Space Junk crew over a few beers.
May 16, 2019•1 hr 43 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Learn more about Dustin that you've probably ever wanted in this candid and funny episode discussing behind the scenes stuff that goes on at OPT and learn how they meet the needs of the professional astronomy community at the same time.
May 06, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 27
PrimaLuceLabs is breaking new ground in amateur astronomy by offering some of the first off-the-shelf radio astronomy solutions along with revolutionary electronics to make your optical observing life easier. In this episode, Tony and Dustin talk with Filippo Bradaschia, the founder of Prima Luce Labs.
Apr 23, 2019•59 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Cat Machin is in town and talking with Dustin and Tony, picking up where we left off last time in discussing all the ways your passion of space and the cosmos can be expressed and we get a little philosophical about what it all means.
Apr 16, 2019•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Tony met Dustin and Ian for the first time IRL in NYC. This episode is a preview of what we hoped to do while in the Big Apple.
Apr 12, 2019•55 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Join Tony Darnell and Dustin Gibson as we talk amateur astronomy with Scott Roberts of Explore Scientific
Apr 02, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this episode of Space Junk, we discuss astrophotography with a husband/wife team from the American southwest whose work is rapidly gaining notice. Antoine and Dalia Grelin starting taking astro photos around five years ago and haven't looked back. Their work is featured in many places and they have a YouTube channel full of excellent tutorials on getting stuff done in astrophotography. Check out their website here: https://www.galactic-hunter.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/GalacticHunter In...
Mar 26, 2019•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 22
Astronomer and science communicator Paul Sutter joins the Space Junk crew to talk about the worst job in the universe: stealing tidbits of information from a universe that is very stingy with its secrets. Tony and Dustin discuss what it's like to be a professional astronomer using some of the best equipment from around the globe.
Mar 19, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 21
This week we talk with the Bad Astronomer himself and discuss a wide range of issues that deal with just how dangerous a place the universe is. What are some of the biggest threats from the sky that face humanity? Should we be worried?
Mar 13, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Near OPT Telescopes HQ, there is a great brewery: Wavelength Brewing Co that is a great place to hang out if you're a science nerd. Every Friday they offer science talks on all sorts of topics and if you're in the area, you have to check 'em out. In this episode, Tony and Dustin talk with the owner of Wavelength Brewing Co about all kinds of space junk.
Mar 07, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 19
We've all heard this before: what's so great about astronomy? Why do I have to know about stuff I'm never gonna be able to go see? Why is this stuff important? This week, we discuss this and much more with Alize Shilling from OPT Telescopes
Feb 27, 2019•59 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Rogelio Bernal Andreo is one to the foremost astrophotographers and in this episode, he tells the story of his journey to becoming featured on APOD, Nat Geo and many other media outlets. Tune in and learn how to take better astrophotos from one of the masters.
Feb 20, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In this episode, we talk with Victor Aniceto, president of Meade Instruments. Learn about the challenges facing the company and the subsequent turnaround.
Feb 14, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 16
When it comes to end of the world theories, NASA conspiracies or astronomy hoaxes Fraser has seen or heard them all. This episode picks apart those ideas and we talk about whether anything should or could be done to combat them.
Feb 05, 2019•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 15
This episode features a great discussion on what astronomy means to us and how it influences our lives. The study and enjoyment of the night sky affects us in ways we don't often think about... in this episode, we think about it! :-)
Jan 30, 2019•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 14
Our guest this week is Ralph Emerson from Planewave Instruments, makers of some of the most high-quality equipment for amateur astronomers.
Jan 23, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 13
While it's true that we are losing our dark skies, not all is lost. It is still possible to not only see the stars using a telescope from some of the most light-polluted areas in the world, but we can also take images of the night sky. Our guest this week, Dr. Steven Swancoat, an OB-Gyn, artist and astrophotographer, describes how he images from places like Times Square with Dustin Gibson.
Jan 16, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 12
I think we all realize just what a great time it is to be involved in amateur astronomy: gaining access to the stars has never been easier. The equipment available to image the night sky is easier to use and extremely affordable. In this episode, Dustin and Tony discuss the high points of 2018 and look ahead to what's in store for 2019.
Jan 09, 2019•59 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Lots of people think that to get paid to study or enjoy the universe takes a huge amount of education, maths, and a lifelong dedication to research. The thing is that's just not true. In this podcast Tony and Dustin talk with Cathrin Machin, a space artist making her dreams come true by bringing space to everyone. Listen to her story and we'll also give you some great tips for making money from your passion of the night sky.
Jan 03, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Advances in technology and communication have brought the world of professional science to the rest of us. With initiatives like Galaxy Zoo and CosmoQuest, the interested public can get involved in producing scientific results that are often a crucial component in a scientific paper or a new discovery. In this episode, Tony Darnell and Dustin Gibson discuss the growing importance of citizen science and we'll talk about CosmoQuest, a citizen science initiative started in 2012 that has faced budge...
Dec 28, 2018•59 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Kevin Legore is an avid astronomy promoter and runs Focus Astronomy, and outreach company that works hard to spread the amazing science of astronomy.
Dec 19, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 8
David Nagler, President of Televue Optics is our guest on this episode. Join us as we explore the optical innovations heralded by Televue and Al Nagler, founder of the company. David outlines how Televue got started and we explore the details of some of the best eyepieces and telescopes in the world of amateur astronomy.
Dec 10, 2018•59 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Blake Estes is one of the world's premier planetary imagers. He also works as a telescope operator at the Mount Wilson and Griffith Observatories in California. In this episode Dustin Gibson and Tony Darnell discuss the intricacies of planetary imaging and get the inside scoop on what it's like to work at two of the most important observatories in the United States.
Dec 05, 2018•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 6
