The Actual Astronomy Podcast

Shane Ludtke & Chris Beckett

Join amateur astronomers, Chris and Shane, as they share their experiences of observing the night sky.

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546 episodes
Updated Monday

Episodes546

Newest first

Monday · 42 min
#544 - 7” Achro Attempts at Correcting Chromatic Aberration
Chris and Shane discuss different ways to reduce chromatic aberration in achromatic refractors.
July 20 · 55 min
#543 - 3D Printing and Astronomy
Chris and Shane discuss 3D printing and how it can enhance your observing.
July 13 · 50 min
#542 - 12 Months of Messier July Edition
Chris and Shane discuss well placed Messier objects to observe in July.
July 6 · 32 min
#541 - Observer’s Calendar for July 2026
Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in July 2026.
June 29 · 37 min
#540 - 12 Month of Messier June Edition
Chris and Shane discuss some Messier objects to observe in June.
June 22 · 1 hr 42 min
#539 - David Nagler Answers Listener Questions
Chris and Shane welcome David Nagler from Televue to the show to answer listener questions.
June 15 · 59 min
#538 - Listener Emails
Chris and Shane get caught up and read listener emails.
June 8 · 25 min
#537 - Observer’s Calendar for June 2026
Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in June 2026.
May 25 · 1 hr 5 min
#536 - Observing While the Moon is Up
Chris and Shane talk about what they like to observe when the Moon is up.
May 18 · 25 min
#535 - 12 Months of Messier May
Chris and Shane discuss the well positioned Messier objects to observe in May. Show notes available on www.actualastronomy.com
May 11 · 1 hr
#534 - Telescope Powers
Chris and Shane talk about the magnification power that they like to use when observing.
May 4 · 29 min
#533 - The Observer’s Calendar for May 2026
Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in May 2026. Show notes are available on www.actualastronomy.com
April 27 · 51 min
#532 - Spring Galaxy Hunting and Listener Emails
Chris and Shane read some listener emails and then discuss observing galaxies in the spring.
April 20 · 47 min
#531 - 12 Months of Messier April Edition
Chris and Shane discuss the best Messier objects to observe in April. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
April 13 · 46 min
#530 - Tele Vue in June & Chris Sends a Prized Possession to a Listener
Chris and Shane catch on recent astronomy gear, observing, and announce the David Nagler will be appearing on the podcast in June.
April 6 · 1 hr 2 min
#529 - A Listener Builds His Dream Observatory
Chris and Shane welcome Kevin Duchscherer to discuss his observatory build.
March 30 · 22 min
#528 - The Observer’s Calendar for April 2026
Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in April 2026. Show notes are available at www.actualastronomy.com
March 23 · 1 hr
#527 - A Reflection Nebula Filter?
Chris and Shane welcome Mike O’Brien back to the show to discuss a recent observing session and a test of a filter for visually observing reflection nebula.
March 16 · 48 min
#526 - 12 Months of Messier - March Edition
Chris and Shane discuss the prominent Messier objects to observe in March. Show notes are available on www.acutalastronomy.com
March 9 · 45 min
#525 - Dumb Things We Have Done at the Telescope
Chris and Shane talk about some of the silly things they have done while observing.

The Actual Astronomy Podcast

#544 - 7” Achro Attempts at Correcting Chromatic Aberration

#543 - 3D Printing and Astronomy

#542 - 12 Months of Messier July Edition

#541 - Observer’s Calendar for July 2026

#540 - 12 Month of Messier June Edition

#539 - David Nagler Answers Listener Questions

#538 - Listener Emails

#537 - Observer’s Calendar for June 2026

#536 - Observing While the Moon is Up

#535 - 12 Months of Messier May

#534 - Telescope Powers

#533 - The Observer’s Calendar for May 2026

#532 - Spring Galaxy Hunting and Listener Emails

#531 - 12 Months of Messier April Edition

#530 - Tele Vue in June & Chris Sends a Prized Possession to a Listener

#529 - A Listener Builds His Dream Observatory

#528 - The Observer’s Calendar for April 2026

#527 - A Reflection Nebula Filter?

#526 - 12 Months of Messier - March Edition

#525 - Dumb Things We Have Done at the Telescope