Shane Ludtke & Chris Beckett
500 episodes listed below
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Join amateur astronomers, Chris and Shane, as they share their experiences of observing the night sky.
Based on 6 episodes we listened to · September 2026
Chris and Shane connect night-sky observation to the equipment, conditions, and practical judgment that make it possible.
Chris and Shane make amateur astronomy legible from the observing field outward. Their conversations move easily between what appeared through an eyepiece, how sky conditions changed the view, and which equipment decisions mattered once a telescope was actually in use.
A bright light down the road is enough to make your dream observatory feel personally attacked.
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Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A practical astronomy catch-up with gear talk and a June visit from David Nagler.
Episode 530 keeps things grounded in practical observing talk, with a June visit from Tele Vue president David Nagler and Chris and Shane trading notes on gear that has to work in the field.
A listener's observatory build is told through concrete, calculator math, and steady telescope ambition.
Episode 529 of The Actual Astronomy Podcast centers on a listener's observatory build, with Chris and Shane joined by Kevin Ducharme to walk through the project.
A practical November sky guide with real observing texture and a friendly, field-notes feel.
November's sky gets a practical, observer-first pass here: a light check-in, a recent observing night, and a month-ahead look at carbon stars, the Saturn-Neptune-Moon grouping, and Jupiter shadow transits.
A practical first-night guide that treats telescope trouble as part of the hobby.
This episode keeps its attention on the first night with a telescope and treats rookie frustration as part of the learning curve. Shane recalls a very bad department store telescope: a three-inch reflector on a terrible tripod and mount, with terrible eyepieces, taken a short…
A timely, grounded field report on two unexpectedly bright naked-eye comets and the short window to catch them.
Episode 506 of The Actual Astronomy Podcast catches a rare bit of momentum for comet watchers, with Kirsten and Shane turning A6 Lamon and R2 Swan into a practical field report rather than just a sky-news item.
A bright light becomes a practical, personal case for why dark skies still need defending.
The Actual Astronomy Podcast takes one bright light near an amateur observatory and turns it into a clear, grounded argument for protecting dark skies.
A grounded episode about the careful hardware choices and uncertain sightings that make amateur astronomy feel earned.
Episode 503 treats amateur astronomy as something practical and lived in. Chris and Shane move from solar observing with a Lunt wedge into the slower work of keeping an observatory usable through cold, rain, smoke, and moisture.
A relaxed Messier tour with practical observing notes and a clear eye for what to look for.
Chris and Shane spend this March installment of 12 Months of Messier on episode 526 of the actual astronomy podcast, with two amateur astronomers working through a classic Messier object in practical observing terms.
History, myth, and skepticism under pressure.
Curious talks beyond the explainer.
One cosmic question at a time, reasoned through.
Real astrobiology, with Star Trek as the common language.
Night-sky physics and photo technique, taught side by side.
Amateur astronomers Chris and Shane share humorous and relatable stories about mistakes they've made while observing with telescopes, from technical errors like leaving filters on to practical failures like forgetting essential supplies.
This segment introduces Richard Navarette, an amateur astronomer with over 20 telescopes, discussing his involvement with the Astronomy Connection and contrasting weather conditions between California and Saskatchewan.
Two amateur astronomers discuss the challenges of observing in extremely cold winter conditions, sharing personal experiences with gear issues and temperature limits.
The hosts discuss a Patreon draw for the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada's 2026 astronomy calendar, which includes photos and events for amateur astronomers.
The hosts introduce guest Richard Wolf-Jacobson and discuss a Patreon calendar giveaway before the main conversation about PiFinder.
The hosts discuss light pollution issues, including a specific bright light incident and its resolution, highlighting how such lights can quickly degrade night sky observing conditions.
The hosts discuss listener emails and gear updates, including mounting solutions for a Pi Finder to avoid telescope balance issues.
The hosts discuss their February progress on a 12-month Messier object observing tour, covering specific objects like M33 and M34 from the SEDS website.
The hosts introduce guest Mike O'Brien and discuss their shared amateur astronomy experiences, including observing sessions and meteor showers in various Canadian locations.
The hosts introduce a new series on Messier objects and discuss email management challenges before reading an update from a listener about their observatory in Missouri.
The hosts discuss their holiday experiences and poor astronomy conditions due to cold and cloudy weather, with brief mentions of past observations.
The hosts welcome longtime listener Clint Redding to discuss his astronomy journey, starting with his first telescope in July 2020.
Mark Radice discusses his recent astronomy trip to Namibia, contrasting its clear skies with England's poor weather and reflecting on historical astronomers like William Herschel.
The hosts discuss the recent passing of amateur astronomer Jack Newton, highlighting his contributions to astronomy communities and collaborations.
The hosts discuss a calendar giveaway for Patreon supporters and briefly mention telescope conversations before transitioning to the main topic of Christmas telescope recommendations and wish lists.
The hosts discuss preparing for cold weather astronomy observations and share listener emails while noting current winter conditions and distractions.
This episode segment is a tribute to Al Nagler, discussing his passing and his significant contributions to amateur astronomy through innovations like the Nagler eyepiece.
Brain can change.
The hosts discuss transitioning from winter to spring weather in March 2026, including temperature changes and snow melt, as part of their astronomy calendar episode.
The Actual Astronomy Podcast episode 530 centers on Tele Vue, eyepiece selection, and several gear updates from Chris and Shane.
The Actual Astronomy Podcast episode 529 follows listener Kevin Ducharme as he builds a dream observatory in Morrisville, Missouri, under Bortle 4 skies with Springfield affecting the south horizon.
Chris and Shane open Episode 507 of The Actual Astronomy Podcast with a dark-sky problem across the lake and a click lock that makes heavy eyepieces easier to manage.
Shane opens with a first telescope story about a bad department-store reflector, a full-moon night outside the city, and the struggle to find the Moon without a finder.
Amateur astronomers Chris and Shane discuss two unexpectedly bright naked-eye comets, A6 Lamon and R2 Swan, in a timely episode.
The Actual Astronomy Podcast #504, "Bad Light and Light Pollution," focuses on a new light about 2.1 kilometers from Chris's observatory and the skyglow it creates.
The seven-inch refractor shows the Helix Nebula with "four or five different levels of nebulosity."
Amateur astronomers Chris and Shane interview Brian Ventrudeau about affordable wide-field astronomy.
Amateur astronomers Chris and Shane discuss the history of planetary motion with guest Dave Chapman.
Amateur astronomers Chris and Shane interview Michael Wright, an avid visual observer and sketcher, discussing connections between astronomy and music.
Amateur astronomers Chris and Shane interview Craig Levine about his experiences in astronomy and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
Amateur astronomers interview Mark Radice about his experience as a guest astronomer in the Namibian desert.
Damien Kay describes planetary imaging with 10-inch, 16-inch, and 24-inch Hubble Optics Dobsonians from Newcastle, Australia.
Chris and Shane revisit memorable astronomy observations spanning Shane's Saturn view around 1985, Mars in 2003, and recent space-station passes.