Artist impression of Comet Shoemaker-Levy. Credit: NASA credit:
Astronomy is one of the few sciences where amateurs make meaningful contributions to discoveries. Many professional researchers work hand-in-hand with teams of amateurs to make discoveries that just wouldn't be possible without this kind of collaboration. In fact, Pamela regularly relies on dedicated enthusiasts for her data on variable stars.
Not everyone can have a 107-inch scope in their yard, but anyone can have 7×50 binoculars in their glove compartment. credit: Dr. Pamela L. Gay
Buying your first telescope can be a nerve-wracking experience filled with buyer's remorse. This week we discuss the basics of purchasing your first binoculars and telescope. What to look for, how to clean older equipment, and how to use it for the first time. Let's make sure your first investment in this wonderful hobby is money well-spent.
There's a big bright comet visible in the sky right now. Listen to this special alert, and then go outside right at sunset to see Comet McNaught with your very own eyes. You've got to move quickly, as it'll be lost in the glare of the Sun. Don't worry, it'll reappear shortly, and could be one of the brightest comets in recent history.
Time-lapse, 1-minute exposures of 1995 Leonids credit: P. Jenniskens (NASA /Ames)
Dress warmly, gather some friends and family, and head outside to watch sand burn in the upper atmosphere. There's nothing like a good meteor shower. Fraser and Pamela explain this beautiful phenomenon: what causes them, the best storms and showers to watch for, and different types of meteors you might see.
11pm in downtown San Jose credit: R. Jay GaBany, Cosmotography.com
Got your eye on that $40 telescope at Walmart? Wait, hear us out first! Fraser and Pamela discuss strategies for getting into amateur astronomy - one of the most worthwhile hobbies out there. We discuss what gear to get, where to look, and how to meet up with other astronomy enthusiasts.