Observers Notebook

Episode 244 Welcome everyone to another episode of the Observers Notebook Podcast. This episode is going to be a little different. Rather than talking about how to observe an astronomical object or interviewing someone about their work, I want to take you along on a very personal astronomy adventure—my week aboard Windstar’s Star Pride during the August 2026 total solar eclipse in Iceland. I’ve been fortunate enough to sail with Windstar many times—this was cruise number 27—but this cruise was completely different. For the first time, I wasn’t onboard simply as a passenger. I was there as a guest speaker and the ship’s eclipse expert, giving presentations, answering questions, working with the Captain and bridge crew, and helping prepare the passengers for what we hoped would be an incredible total solar eclipse at sea. And then, about an hour before the eclipse, Iceland reminded us who was really in charge. The fog rolled in. We didn't get the picture-perfect view of totality we had dreamed about. But what happened aboard the Star Pride when the Moon’s shadow reached us turned out to be something I will never forget. The sky dramatically darkened, the temperature plunged, and hundreds of passengers and crew members cheered together as we entered the shadow of the Moon. In this episode, I want to share what happened behind the scenes—the preparations, my conversations with the Captain, what it was like giving presentations aboard the ship, the eclipse itself, and some of the wonderful people we met along the way. I'll also be joined for a short conversation by fellow guest speaker Orly Orlyson, an Icelandic filmmaker, historian, and storyteller, who will tell us about his museum in Húsavík and the remarkable connection between this little Icelandic town, the movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, and the Academy Awards. So pour yourself a cup of coffee—or, in true Windstar fashion, maybe a glass of wine—and come aboard the Star Pride with me as we head into the shadow of the Moon. Let’s get started. You can contact Windstar Cruises at: https://www.windstarcruises.com/ 2027 Windstar Eclipse Cruise https://www.windstarcruises.com/tour-details/PIRPIR9D/greek/piraeus-to-piraeus/9-day-total-solar-eclipse-from-greece-and-malta/?pkgid=1045979 My video from the cruise https://youtu.be/Rus7ySr8Wqo?si=pR9UFiqc5O3Umjjf Orly Orlyson [email protected] Husavik Song https://youtu.be/UamELF1MyN0?si=fry6iGFsLGv4EGGJ For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.alpo-astronomy.org/ You can also support this podcast at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ObserversNotebook Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook Subscribe on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AssociationofLunarandPlanetaryObservers Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/observers-notebook-the-alpo-podcast/id1199301885?mt=2 I want to thank the Producers of this podcast, Steve Siedentop and Michael Moyer for their generous support of the Observers Notebook. Our Patreons: Jerry White Jason Inman Bob Lunsford Steve Seidentop Stephen Bennett Michael Moyer Shawn Dilles Damian Allis Carl Hergenrother Michael McShan Michael Blake Nick Evetts Stan Sienkiewicz Carl Hergenrother Stan Sienkiewicz John Rogers Jim McCarthy Stanley McMahan Ken Poshedly

Episode 242 Welcome to The Observers Notebook, the official podcast of the Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers, where we connect you with the people, discoveries, and techniques that take us from stargazing to science. I'm your host, Tim Robertson. Whether you're a seasoned lunar observer, someone who simply enjoys looking up at the Moon, or you're introducing a child or grandchild to the night sky for the very first time, this episode is for you. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people around the world step outside on one special evening to celebrate our closest celestial neighbor during International Observe the Moon Night. It's a global event that reminds us that no matter where we live, we all share the same Moon. Joining me today is Staci Horvath, Outreach Lead for NASA's Solar System Exploration Division at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the director of International Observe the Moon Night. Staci has dedicated her career to helping people connect with the excitement of space exploration, making astronomy accessible, engaging, and inspiring for audiences of all ages. Today we'll talk about the origins of International Observe the Moon Night, why the Moon remains one of the best objects in the sky for beginning and experienced observers alike, how astronomy clubs and educators can host successful events, and how this worldwide celebration fits into NASA's exciting new era of lunar exploration through Artemis. We'll also discuss how amateur astronomers can contribute to lunar science, the resources NASA provides for observers and event organizers, and, of course, we'll get to know Staci a little better through some fun questions at the end of the show. So grab your favorite observing chair, dust off your telescope—or simply step outside and look up—as we celebrate the Moon and the people who inspire millions to observe it. Please join me in welcoming Staci Horvath to The Observers Notebook. You can contact Staci at: [email protected] Observe the Moon Night https://science.nasa.gov/moon/observe-the-moon-night/ For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.alpo-astronomy.org/ You can also support this podcast at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ObserversNotebook Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook Subscribe on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AssociationofLunarandPlanetaryObservers Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/observers-notebook-the-alpo-podcast/id1199301885?mt=2 I want to thank the Producers of this podcast, Steve Siedentop and Michael Moyer for their generous support of the Observers Notebook. Our Patreons: Jerry White Jason Inman Bob Lunsford Steve Seidentop Stephen Bennett Michael Moyer Shawn Dilles Damian Allis Carl Hergenrother Michael McShan Michael Blake Nick Evetts Stan Sienkiewicz Carl Hergenrother Stan Sienkiewicz John Rogers Jim McCarthy Stanley McMahan Ken Poshedly

Episode 240 Welcome to another episode of The Observers Notebook, the official podcast of the Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers — where we explore the Solar System and beyond, from stargazing to science. I’m your host, Tim Robertson, and today we’re diving into one of the most fascinating questions humanity has ever asked: Are we alone in the universe? For centuries, humans have looked up at the night sky and wondered if somewhere out there, another civilization is doing the exact same thing — looking back toward us. Today’s guest is helping lead that search. Joining us is Franck Marchis — astronomer, planetary scientist, entrepreneur, and one of the leading voices in modern SETI research. Franck is known for his groundbreaking work in adaptive optics, asteroid systems, exoplanets, and the search for technosignatures — possible evidence of advanced civilizations elsewhere in the cosmos. He’s also deeply involved in the future of astronomy through innovative telescope networks, citizen science, and the development of new observational technologies that could dramatically expand our ability to detect life beyond Earth. You can contact Franck at: [email protected] SETI https://www.seti.org/ Skymapper https://skymapper.io/ For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.alpo-astronomy.org/ You can also support this podcast at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ObserversNotebook Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook Subscribe on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AssociationofLunarandPlanetaryObservers Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/observers-notebook-the-alpo-podcast/id1199301885?mt=2 I want to thank the Producers of this podcast, Steve Siedentop and Michael Moyer for their generous support of the Observers Notebook. Our Patreons: Jerry White Jason Inman Bob Lunsford Steve Seidentop Stephen Bennett Michael Moyer Shawn Dilles Damian Allis Carl Hergenrother Michael McShan Michael Blake Nick Evetts Stan Sienkiewicz Carl Hergenrother Stan Sienkiewicz John Rogers Jim McCarthy Stanley McMahan Ken Poshedly

Welcome to the Observers Notebook, the official podcast of the Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers—where we take you from Stargazing to Science. I'm your host, Tim Robertson. Every once in a generation, astronomy takes a giant leap forward. From Galileo's first telescope to the Hubble Space Telescope, new instruments have transformed the way we see and understand the universe. Today, we're witnessing another one of those moments. High atop Cerro Pachón in Chile stands the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, home to the largest digital camera ever built for astronomy. Over the next decade, this remarkable facility will image the entire southern sky every few nights, creating an unprecedented time-lapse record of our dynamic universe. It will discover millions of asteroids and comets, detect exploding stars, map billions of galaxies, help us better understand dark matter and dark energy, and alert astronomers around the world whenever something in the sky changes. But Rubin isn't just a telescope for professional astronomers. Its discoveries will open exciting new opportunities for amateur astronomers, educators, citizen scientists, and organizations like ALPO to participate in real scientific discovery. Joining me today is Clare Higgs from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Clare is helping share the story of this extraordinary project and its mission to transform our understanding of the cosmos. We'll talk about how the observatory works, the science it's designed to accomplish, what makes its 3.2-billion-pixel camera so revolutionary, and what exciting discoveries may lie just around the corner. Clare, welcome to the Observers Notebook. It's a pleasure to have you with us. You can contact Clare at: [email protected] Vera C Rubin Observatory https://rubinobservatory.org/ Zooniverse zooniverse.org/rubin Solar System explorer https://skyviewer.app/ Education Resource https://rubinobservatory.org/education For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.alpo-astronomy.org/ You can also support this podcast at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ObserversNotebook Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook Subscribe on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AssociationofLunarandPlanetaryObservers Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/observers-notebook-the-alpo-podcast/id1199301885?mt=2 I want to thank the Producers of this podcast, Steve Siedentop and Michael Moyer for their generous support of the Observers Notebook. Our Patreons: Jerry White Jason Inman Bob Lunsford Steve Seidentop Stephen Bennett Michael Moyer Shawn Dilles Damian Allis Carl Hergenrother Michael McShan Michael Blake Nick Evetts Stan Sienkiewicz Carl Hergenrother Stan Sienkiewicz John Rogers Jim McCarthy Stanley McMahan Ken Poshedly

Welcome to another episode of The Observers Notebook, the official podcast of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO), where we take you From Stargazing to Science. I'm your host, Tim Robertson, and today we're looking ahead to one of the year's most anticipated celestial events—the deep partial lunar eclipse occurring on the night of August 27–28, 2026. While this won't be a total lunar eclipse, nearly the entire Moon will pass through Earth's umbral shadow, creating a spectacular sight for observers across much of the world. It's an event that promises beautiful views through binoculars and telescopes, outstanding photographic opportunities, and, perhaps most importantly, a chance for amateur astronomers to make observations that have genuine scientific value. Joining me are two outstanding members of the ALPO team. First, we'll welcome John O'Neal, Coordinator of the ALPO Eclipse Section. John has spent decades observing and documenting eclipses and will walk us through exactly what we'll see during this eclipse, why this particular event is so special, and how you can make the most of your observing session, whether you're a first-time eclipse watcher or a seasoned veteran. Then we'll be joined by David Teske, Coordinator of ALPO's Lunar Section. David will introduce us to the fascinating world of crater contact timings—carefully timing when well-known lunar craters disappear into and emerge from Earth's shadow. It's a classic observing program that continues to provide valuable scientific data and is something nearly any telescope owner can participate in. So whether you're planning to simply step outside and enjoy one of nature's greatest spectacles, photograph the changing colors of the Moon, or contribute observations to the scientific community, this episode will help you prepare for eclipse night. So sit back, grab your favorite beverage, and let's talk about the August 27–28, 2026 Lunar Eclipse, here on The Observers Notebook. You can contact John at: [email protected] You can contact David at: [email protected] For more information you can visit the ALPO web site at: www.alpo-astronomy.org/ You can also support this podcast at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ObserversNotebook Listen to the podcast on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/observersnotebook Subscribe on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AssociationofLunarandPlanetaryObservers Subscribe on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/observers-notebook-the-alpo-podcast/id1199301885?mt=2 I want to thank the Producers of this podcast, Steve Siedentop and Michael Moyer for their generous support of the Observers Notebook. Our Patreons: Jerry White Jason Inman Bob Lunsford Steve Seidentop Stephen Bennett Michael Moyer Shawn Dilles Damian Allis Carl Hergenrother Michael McShan Michael Blake Nick Evetts Stan Sienkiewicz Carl Hergenrother Stan Sienkiewicz John Rogers Jim McCarthy Stanley McMahan Ken Poshedly