15. Follow Your Bliss! – The Astronomical Journey of Matthias Schmitt

AAA SKY

15. Follow Your Bliss! - The Astronomical Journey of Matthias Schmitt

00:00 / 00:45:51

In this episode Maggie discovers the amazing personal and professional journey of astronomer Matthias Schmitt, Dark Sky Coordinator at Cedar Breaks National Monument in Utah and an astronomy guide for Stargazing Zion. He is an avid eclipse chaser with observations in Oregon, Argentina, Oman, the Antarctic, and other locations. Find out how joining an astronomy club, surrounding yourself with passion, and following your bliss, can change your life forever. Read about Matthias’s most recent eclipse adventure to the Antarctic in an upcoming issue of the AAA newsletter, Eyepiece.In this episode Maggie discovers the amazing personal and professional journey of astronomer Matthias Schmitt, Dark Sky Coordinator at Cedar Breaks National Monument in Utah and an astronomy guide for Stargazing Zion. He is an avid eclipse chaser with observations in Oregon, Argentina, Oman, the Antarctic, and other locations. Find out how joining an astronomy club, surrounding yourself with passion, and following your bliss, can change your life forever. Read about Matthias’s most recent eclipse adventure to the Antarctic in an upcoming issue of the AAA newsletter, Eyepiece.

AAA SKY

14. The History of Telescope-making in NYC with Bart Fried

00:00 / 00:53:43

In this episode telescope historian Bart Fried recounts how New York City became the nation’s center for telescope-making in the early 19th century, and he discusses with Stan some impressive early observatories located in the city. An episode chock full of anecdotes! And Maggie and Stan discuss Cassegrain telescopes and 19th century light pollution as well as their first telescope experiences.

AAA SKY

13. Photographing the Space Shuttle with Stan Honda

00:00 / 00:56:15

Have you ever dreamed of photographing rocket launches at Cape Canaveral? In this episode Maggie interviews renowned photographer Stan Honda about his experiences shooting launches of the Space Shuttle. Stan takes us to the Kennedy Space Center and recounts some humorous anecdotes all while giving us useful photography tips and techniques. And Maggie and Stan discuss why Florida’s weather is worth enduring.

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12. Making Astronomy Accessible to Everyone: The Advent of Smart Telescopes with Cyril Dupuy

00:00 / 00:43:30

A telescope for the rest of us. In this first episode of AAA SKY’s second season, Staninterviews Vaonis founder Cyril Dupuy about his company’s Stellina and smarttelescopes in general. Cyril’s dream is to open up astronomy and astrophotography tothe greater population. Can smart telescopes eliminate the learning curve forobservational astronomy or astrophotography? And welcome to…

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11. Skywatching in NYC with John Bills

00:00 / 00:39:11

For our last episode of the season and our first post-pandemic in-person interview, Irene and Stan together speak with John Bills, Chairman of the AAA, about the technology of and his experience in observing from the heart of the city that never sleeps. And we announce the winner of the last Listener Challenge of the season.

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10. Full Steam Ahead

00:00 / 00:49:22

In this episode Irene interviews David Pentecost about building and using a Planetarium at the Lower East Side Girls Club. Stanley and Irene discuss how the organization takes advantage of the Planetarium for more than just astronomy. And we announce our first winner of the AAASky Listener Challenge!

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9. Hungry, Hungry Galaxies

00:00 / 00:35:36

In this episode Stanley interviews Dr. Allyson Sheffield about the Milky Way’s history of interactions with satellite galaxies and the clues left behind in each galaxy by such encounters. And Irene and Stanley introduce a new feature to AAASky.

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8. Archeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy

00:00 / 00:37:47

In this episode Irene interviews AAA Member and anthropologist Jorge Colorado about ancient astronomy and some of his favorite world sites where astronomy plays a major role in the architecture. Stanley discusses some of his visits to these sites and Irene plans a trip.

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7. Black Holes

00:00 / 00:30:08

In this episode Stanley interviews Dr. Jillian Bellovary about black holes of all sizes and the questions surrounding them. Dr. Bellovary describes her research into the formation of intermediate-mass black holes within the accretion disks of supermassive ones as well as off-center black holes in dwarf galaxies. And Irene discusses Dr. Bellovary’s calculation of the carbon footprint of her scientific research.

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6. Interview with Chuck Nice

00:00 / 00:50:02

In this episode we listen in on Irene’s far-reaching discussion with StarTalk co-host Chuck Nice, in which he discusses astronomy, sports and climate change, in addition to StarTalk. And Stanley and Irene reveal the secret of why AAA club members love to do public stargazing events.

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