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The Actual Astronomy Podcast

Shane Ludtke & Chris Beckett
Astronomy
Jupiter
Asteroids
Lake Effects On Astronomy
Telescopes
Meteorology
Pleiades
Borg 90 FL
Astronomical Seeing
Messier Objects
Comets
Solar Eclipse
Temperature Stratification
Airflow Patterns
Turbulence
Astrophotography
Astronomy Magazine
Nova Scotia
Masayama Eyepiece
Takahashi Eyepiece

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes529Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceAstronomy

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Artwork for The Actual Astronomy Podcast

Latest Episodes

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.

Chris and Shane discuss the prominent Messier objects to observe in March. Show notes are available on www.acutalastronomy.com

Chris and Shane talk about some of the silly things they have done while observing.

Chris and Shane discuss interesting things to observe in March 2026. Show notes can be found on www.actualastronomy.com

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Richard Navarette
Longtime amateur astronomer from the San Francisco Bay Area
Episode: #522 - Owning 20+ Telescopes with Richard Navarette
Clint Reading
Amateur astronomer and longtime listener of the podcast
Episode: #519 - OzSky with Clint Reading
Richard Wolf-Jacobson
Founder of BB Labs and creator of PiFinder, amateur astronomer.
BB Labs
Episode: #515 - PiFinder with Richard Wolf-Jacobson
Peter Monson
Amateur astronomer with a keen interest in photographing celestial objects
Episode: #486 - Chiricahua Sky Village with Peter Monson
Brian Ventrudo
Author of Cosmic Pursuits, contributing editor for Sky and Telescope magazine
Sky and Telescope Magazine
Episode: #483 - Affordable Wide-Field with Brian Ventrudo
Michael Wright
Avid visual observer, sketcher, and piano teacher from the Kitchener-Waterloo area
Kitchener Waterloo RSC Centre
Episode: #474 - Skies Over the Southern Ocean with Michael Wright
Alister Ling
Amateur astronomer and expert on Atmospheric Dispersion Correctors
Episode: #462 - Atmospheric Dispersion Correctors
Dave Chapman
Amateur astronomer and speaker on celestial topics
Episode: #447 - Stars and Birds with Dave Chapman
Mike Lynch
Meteorologist, author, and amateur astronomer
WCCO Radio
Episode: #436 - Stars A Month-by-Month Tour of the Constellations with Mike Lynch

Hosts

Chris
Co-host of the show, amateur astronomer with extensive experience in visual observing and equipment discussion; often leads gear recommendations and observing strategies.
Shane
Co-host of the show, amateur astronomer with a focus on observing practices and equipment discussions; contributes practical observing tips and personal experiences.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 232 ratings
  • Fantastic Podcast

    I really enjoy hearing Shane and Chris geek out on various astronomy topics. As a new astronomer hobbiest I am learning a lot from Chris and Shane’s discussions. The format used of focusing on a couple of topics each show is great for jumping around the back catalog. I really appreciate Chris’ dry humor as well. Keep up the great work guys.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    D1123870
    United States7 months ago
  • Best podcast on the topic

    The only astronomy podcast worth listening too.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bear34love
    United Statesa year ago
  • Sharing is caring

    Listening to Chris and Shane is like having your best astronomy mates over twice a week.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JA Dianes
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Best Podcast in the Universe!!

    For beginners and experts alike. The absolute best visual astronomy podcast. Chris and Shane are engaging, helpful, and a pleasure to listen to. I have learned so much from these two. They have taken my amateur astronomy pursuits to places I would never had gone if I hadn't found this podcast!! There is something for everyone!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Into_flow
    United States2 years ago
  • So many great topics for the visual observer. Covers equipment, objects for observing, techniques, and more. Great presentation by the presenters who are amateur astronomers. By far the best astronomy podcast I've found.

    Audible
    5
    Joe Eckenrode
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Clear, down-to-earth hosts who share a lot of hands-on experience and recommendations.
Very accessible and community-driven, with reliable schedule and useful listener content.
Energetic and practical for beginners and experienced observers alike.
Great balance of gear talk and observing tips with a friendly tone.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#22
United States/Science/Astronomy
Apple Podcasts
#18
Canada/Science/Astronomy
Apple Podcasts
#34
United Kingdom/Science/Astronomy
Apple Podcasts
#244
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#31
Australia/Science/Astronomy
Apple Podcasts
#43
Germany/Science/Astronomy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#515 - PiFinder with Richard Wolf-Jacobson
Q: How customizable is it for somebody to go in and add their own catalogs or observing lists?
We are adding in custom observing lists probably in the first quarter of this coming year again, because we think we know how to do it in a way that will make sense to people.
#515 - PiFinder with Richard Wolf-Jacobson
Q: Is there any kind of alignment that occurs or is required maybe with the PiFinder?
Yes, there's a digital alignment system where you just point your telescope at any bright star.
#515 - PiFinder with Richard Wolf-Jacobson
Q: How did you go from idea to prototype to something we can take to market?
It took about three months from initial testing to having a working prototype ready for presentation.
#500 - Feature Constellation Taurus
Q: How does snow affect sky quality?
Snow reflects light, brightening the landscape and affecting visibility. It can make the sky appear brighter and impact the Bortle scale for observing conditions.
#491 - We Judge Your Observing
Q: What are your thoughts on using paper maps vs digital atlases for locating objects?
Many people still prefer paper maps due to their ease of use in the field, especially when it comes to brightness and scale matching with the night sky.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Actual Astronomy Podcast

What is The Actual Astronomy Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two friendly amateur astronomers discuss practical observing techniques, gear, and monthly sky events with a strong emphasis on visual observing from backyard setups. Episodes frequently cover observing calendars, equipment recommendations, listener mail, and interviews or guest discussions about new tools and communities. The format blends hands-on tips, product talk, and personal anecdotes, making it approachable for beginners while still informative for seasoned observers. A notable strength is the down-to-earth, conversational style that often dives into equipment choices, observing strategies, and accessible paths to get outdoors under the night sky.

This show stands out for its frequent focus on practical observing—targets, gear, and... more

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Actual Astronomy Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Actual Astronomy Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Actual Astronomy Podcast:

1. Observers Notebook
2. The 365 Days of Astronomy
3. Universe Today Podcast
4. Astronomy Cast
5. Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

How many episodes of The Actual Astronomy Podcast are there?

The Actual Astronomy Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 529 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Actual Astronomy Podcast?

Recent guests on The Actual Astronomy Podcast include:

1. Richard Navarette
2. Clint Reading
3. Richard Wolf-Jacobson
4. Peter Monson
5. Brian Ventrudo
6. Michael Wright
7. Alister Ling
8. Dave Chapman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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