In our first episode of the Cosmos Safari podcast, hosts Dave Farina and Rob Webb dive into NASA's Artemis program that will return humans to the moon for the first time in over 50 years and eventually to Mars! Learn more about this awesome NASA mission and explore the possibilities that future human space travel makes possible.

The first lunar landings inspired an entire generation to look beyond the Earth and imagine endless possibilities. Technologies created to meet the demands of these missions have shaped our modern world in almost every way, and the Artemis program will likely reap similar unforeseen benefits as well. These NASA Spinoff technologies may very well change the world as we know it.

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In this video co-hosts Dave Farina and Rob Webb dive into the James Webb Space Telescope which has made a huge splash in the astronomy world over the last month. Dave and Rob discuss what makes them excited about the telescope, and discuss some of the science that JWST is built to conduct.

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Dr. Brandt: https://personal.psu.edu/wnb3/

Dr. Niel Brandt is the Verne M. Willaman Professor of Astronomy & Astrophysics, and Professor of Physics at The Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Brandt is joining us today to speak specifically about his outreach through summer teacher workshops as well as his primary research interests which include:

The growth of supermassive black holes over cosmic time
Black-hole vs. galaxy connections
Deep cosmological multi-wavelength surveys
Supermassive black-hole winds and feedback into galaxies
Sample-based studies of active galactic nuclei
Extreme active galactic nuclei as tools
X-ray astronomy and high-energy astrophysics
Deep, wide, and fast cosmic surveys


This summer’s workshop, “The Lives and Deaths of Stars” will be held on July 17-21st at The Pennsylvania State University. https://sites.psu.edu/psiwa/

#podcast #science #space

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In this episode, we interview Gordon Telepun, the maker of the popular Solar Eclipse Timer App, and discuss his new book, "How to Enjoy, Observe, and Photograph a Total Solar Eclipse" as well as some of his background as a five-time solar eclipse observer and astrophotographer. The book, unlike others available, focuses on the moment-by-moment events that one should prepare for in sequence throughout the day of a Total Solar Eclipse.

Gordon's experience as a plastic surgeon has provided him with the unique ability to take complex ideas and put them into terms that are understandable by the general public. This skill is obvious throughout the book and our discussion.

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In this episode of the Cosmos Safari Podcast, I speak with Richard Wright. Richard is a veteran astrophotography with over 20 years experience in the astronomy community as the programmer of the famous SkyX software by Software Bisque. Richard also is a contributing editor of Sky and Telescope Magazine, and produces beautiful astrophotography that is revered throughout the astronomy community.

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Summary: Dave and Rob let the dust settle on the OSIRIS-REx mission and discuss its origins, launch, flight, return, and current status. As of recording on November 9th, 2023 the return mission succeeded, but the sample was stuck inside the collection chamber

Sources

• Spaceflight 101 The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft
• Beyond Earth A Chronicle of Deep Space Exploration, 1958-2016, Asif A. Siddiqi. https://www.nasa.gov/history/history-publications-and-resources/nasa-history-series/beyond-earth/
• NASA
  • Acronyms https://science.nasa.gov/acronyms/
  • https://science.nasa.gov/mission/osiris-rex/in-depth/
  • https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/sentry/
• Lockheed Martin https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/osiris-rex.html
• Space.com https://www.space.com/33776-osiris-rex.html
• Asteroid Mission https://www.asteroidmission.org/
• NASA Eyes on Asteroids https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/asteroids/#/home

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Embark on a cosmic odyssey with Ron Breacher, a virtuoso of the night sky, whose transformation from an amateur stargazer to an astrophotography maestro is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Clutching the telescope that started it all, Ron shares the celestial moments that propelled him from admiring the stars to immortalizing them through his lens. He opens up about the pivotal role played by Terrence Dickinson's "Night Watch" in his journey and the exhilarating leap he took with his DSLR to capture the heavens. The addition of a personal observatory didn't just enhance Ron's stellar pursuits—it skyrocketed them.

Our voyage doesn't stop there; we also navigate the starlit nexus where astrophotography meets science communication. Ron and I challenge you with trivia that spans the historical tapestry of astrophotography, from its first moonlit photo to the earliest spectral studies of stars. Alongside the thrill of discovery, we traverse my evolution into an astrophotography educator, imparting the nuances of software like PixInsight and the transformative effect of virtual teaching spurred by global upheavals. Sharing the cosmos has never been more engaging or essential.

As we set our telescopes towards the future, we ponder the advancements on the horizon for astrophotography—where equipment refinement meets the dawn of artificial intelligence in image processing. Reflecting on my own gear odyssey, I emphasize the vital importance of finding the tools that resonate with your passion. We explore how innovations like automated in-camera stacking and AI enhancements are reshaping our quest to photograph the universe. Ron and I, your fellow star chasers, affirm the profound joy found in the hands-on pursuit of astrophotography, balancing technical mastery with the simple pleasure of gazing into the vastness above. Join us, and be inspired to etch your own starry legacy.

Here is a link to the YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/BpmaFghFILk?si=Pvz5304lImvz7rUM

Here is a link to the blog post: https://www.cosmossafari.com/post/astrophotography-as-a-gateway-to-science-communication-with-ron-brecher

You can find Ron at https://astrodoc.ca/

Masters of PixInsight Workshops: www.mastersofpixinsight.com

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Summary:

Welcome to the Cosmos Safari Podcast Presented by Celestron. In this episode, my co-host, the last-minute astronomer and I discuss the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024, and our personal experiences and lessons learned during the 2017 total solar eclipse.

A Special Thanks to Will Young at https://www.deepskydude.com/ for the right to use his awesome music.

Sources and Links:

• Rob’s 2017 Eclipse Video - https://youtu.be/APEqM_q3ATc?si=IxUrUDEZY0uWCCUT
• Cosmos Safari Episode with Gordon Telepun - https://youtu.be/rZFnlYfNweE?si=9GW41IQKPoRwjsp_
• Gordon Telepun’s Solar Eclipse Timer App - https://www.solareclipsetimer.com/
• Kid’s Eclipse Activity Book - https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/kids/kid-activity-book
• EclipSmart Solar Eclipse Glasses Observing Kit https://www.celestron.com/products/eclipsmart-solar-eclipse-glasses-observing-kit?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=44405&utm_content=googleshopping&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAlcyuBhBnEiwAOGZ2SyAZqAOTKp2g9NIx5FNiyYWOdSc3_nW5Bsdp7IU1YYBZ_jQwMR8kWBoCo7AQAvD_BwE
• Eclipsmart Travel Solar Scope 50 Refractor Telescope - https://www.celestron.com/products/eclipsmart-travel-solar-scope-50-refractor-telescope
• Eclipsmart Universal Solar Filter - https://www.celestron.com/products/eclipsmart-universal-solar-filter
• Eclipsmart 12x50mm Porro Solar Binoculars - https://www.celestron.com/products/eclipsmart-12x50mm-porro-solar-binoculars
• More Celestron Eclipsmart Products: https://www.celestron.com/collections/eclipsmart-solar-safe-products
• Celestron Eclipse Watch Website - https://www.celestron.com/pages/eclipsewatch
• Trivia facts - https://nationaleclipse.com/trivia.html

Let the countdown to the cosmos commence as the Last Minute Astronomer and I recount the celestial splendor of past solar eclipses and beam with excitement for the upcoming 2024 total solar eclipse. With the awe of totality etched in our memories, we traverse the patchwork of personal anecdotes and viewing strategies that both seasoned and first-time eclipse chasers will find invaluable. Imagine standing in the moon's shadow as we paint a vivid picture of the expansive path this solar phenomenon will carve across the globe, and let our tales of family adventures intertwined with celestial wonder inspire your own journey toward the sun's cor

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