Observers Notebook

Tim Robertson interviews Bob Garfinkel about a 62-year astronomy career that includes Star Hopping, Luna Cognita, and service to the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers.

The Observer's Notebook episode 232 features Tim Robertson interviewing Daniel Yamanzi about planetary observing, city skies, and visual perception.

Tim Robertson and Bob Lunsford focus episode 231 on the 2026 Lyrids, tying the shower to comet 1861 Thatcher and the oldest documented meteor records from China in 687 BC.

David Eicher tells Tim Robertson how seeing Saturn at age 14 or 15 in Oxford, Ohio, led him from a local astronomy newsletter to Astronomy magazine.

Tim Robertson and John O'Neill focus on the March 2, 2026 total lunar eclipse, including where it will be visible and why the east coast of the United States loses the ending to moonset.

Tim Robertson interviews Daniel Parrott, creator of Tycho Tracker, a software project associated with over 200 near-Earth asteroid discoveries, more than 10 comets, and two predicted impactors.

Pranvera Hyseni tells Tim Robertson how a 1999 solar eclipse, dark skies, and family memories led her from rural Kosovo into astronomy.

The Observer’s Notebook host Tim Robertson and comet section coordinator Carl Hergenrother review major 2025 comets and preview objects expected to reach brighter than magnitude 10 in 2026.

Roger Venable, president of the International Occultation and Timing Association, explains how observers time stars disappearing behind the Moon and asteroids to calculate positions, sizes, and shapes.

Richard Schmude explains how amateur observers can study Uranus through photometry, imaging, visual magnitude estimates, and occultation timing.

Tim Robertson interviews Bob Lindsford about observing the Geminid meteor shower during December 2025, including the December 13–14 peak and the radiant's position near Castor.

In episode 222 of Observers Notebook, Tim Robertson interviews Argentine lunar observer Alberto Anezudo about whether hand-drawn lunar observations remain valuable beside high-resolution cameras.

Tim Robertson interviews Bob Lunsford about observing the Orionids, Taurids, and Leonids, including their comet sources and peak dates.

Tim Robertson interviews Carl Hergenrother about three notable 2025 comets: C/2025 R2 SWAN, C/2025 A6 Lemmon, and interstellar 3I Atlas.

Kelly Blumenthal, Director of the International Astronomical Union Office for Astronomy Outreach, explains why she prefers “engagement” to “outreach” and describes astronomy as a multidirectional exchange of knowledge.

The Observer’s Notebook interviews Stacey Horvath, director of International Observe the Moon Night at Goddard Space Flight Center, about the annual lunar-science event.

Tim Robertson interviews Dave Teske, editor of the monthly Lunar Observer, which had 75 pages in its August 2025 issue and has appeared every month for six years.

Tim Robertson interviews Diana Heineken, editor-in-chief of Sky and Telescope, about moving from research astronomy into science communication in 2017.

Observer's Notebook host Tim Robertson interviews Mercury section coordinator Frank Malillo, who has led the section for 24 years after activity nearly disappeared in the 1980s and 1990s.

Tim Robertson interviews solar observer Rick Hill about Solar Cycle 25, whose activity exceeded forecasts ranging from no sunspots to NASA’s prediction of the strongest cycle in history.

The host introduces the podcast, discusses the mission of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, and explains how listeners can support the show via Patreon.

The host introduces the podcast, discusses the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, and promotes membership and Patreon support before introducing the guest.

The host celebrates the 200th episode of the ALPO podcast, reflecting on its origins and thanking listeners.

This episode introduces the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers podcast, covering its mission to collect and analyze solar system observations.

Introduction to the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers podcast, covering its mission, membership, and donation options.