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The 365 Days of Astronomy

The 365 Days of Astronomy

365DaysOfAstronomy.org

The 365 Days of Astronomy podcast launched in 2009 as part of the International Year of Astronomy. This community podcast continues to bring you day after day of content across the years. Everyday, a new voice, helping you see the universe we share in a new way. This show is managed by Avivah Yamani, edited by Richard Drumm. This podcast is funded through Patreon.com/CosmoQuestX and produced out of the Planetary Science Institute.

4268 - EVSN - Betelgeuse: Smaller & Closer Than Previously Thought… What?
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  • 4268 - EVSN - Betelgeuse: Smaller & Closer Than Previously Thought… What?

    From October 19, 2020.

    Hosted by: Dr. Pamela L. Gay (@CosmoQuest)

    Today's top story brings back our favorite red giant star, Betelgeuse. A new paper published in The Astrophysical Journal (ApJ) with lead author Dr. Meridith Joyce looks at Betelgeuse as a pulsating variable star and uses atmospheric physics to bring us new insights on what the red giant is up to.

    This paper combines new observations with new computer models to derive the star's mass and size from its outward behavior in much the same way that one might derive the size of a jug based on what notes can be created by blowing across its opening. Different sized objects naturally resonate in specific ways. By understanding how Betelgeuse pulsates in the fundamental mode and first overtone mode – those first two pitches you can make with your bottle – they were able to work backward to figure out Betelgeuse's physical size. This method let them then figure out more accurately the star's distance because we know how big it appears on the sky, and there is a simple mathematical relationship between how big something is and how big it appears.

    Our current estimates had been based on Hipparcos measurements of how Betelgeuse appears to move relative to background objects when the Earth moves around the Sun. This technique, called parallax, can be super useful, but, trying to measure how much an object shifts, when that object is a blobby star like Betelgeuse, can be a challenge!

    Betelgeuse appears to be about 42 microarcseconds (mas) across and seems to shift just 5.95+0.58 or -0.85 mas. This is a really hard measurement, and Betelgeuse hasn't been looked at yet with Gaia.

    By working from the theoretical size they got from its pulsation modes, and calculating a new distance, this team found that the lower edge of that error in the distance appears to be accurate, putting Betelgeuse just 530 lightyears away. This is 25% of the distance from the prior estimate, but as I said, it's within error. This closer distance makes Betelgeuse a bit smaller; it appears to be 750 times the radius of the Sun. Nevertheless, it still probably started with 20+ solar masses of material, and it will still explode in about 100,000 years. At this point, they believe, it is still burning helium in its core and is nowhere near going boom.

    It's always cool when completely different techniques can narrow in on more precise values. This shows us once again that there is no one way to do science.

    We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.

    Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can!

    Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!

    Every bit helps! Thank you!

    ------------------------------------

    Do go visit http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness!

    http://cosmoquest.org/Donate This show is made possible through your donations.

    Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!)

    ------------------------------------

    The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http://www.psi.edu

    Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org.

    Fri, 18 Sep 2026 - 16min
  • 4267 - Actual Astronomy - Top Ten Techniques for Buying Used Telescope Gear

    Hosted by Chris Beckett & Shane Ludtke, two amateur astronomers in Saskatchewan who enjoy teaching astronomy classes and showing the public views through their telescopes. actualastronomy@gmail.com

    Top ten techniques for buying used telescope gear on Episode 552 of the Actual Astronomy podcast. I'm Chris and joining me is Shane. We are amateur astronomers who love looking up at the night sky and this podcast is for everyone who enjoys going out under the stars.

    New vs. used:

    Baked in discount Cheaper way to try different things Less cost to buy try sell than new and get hit by depreciation Great out of production gear

    Top 10 Ways to Choose Used Telescope Equipment:

    Dedicated Astronomy Classifieds: Buy through enthusiast platforms like Cloudy Nights or AstroBuySell or online Japan Auction Sites rather than general marketplaces although I've had good luck on eBay too. Astronomy forums feature seller rating systems, community feedback, and knowledgeable owners who generally take better care of their optics. Inspect Glass and Mirrors for Mold or Coating Loss: A little dust on optics is normal, but avoid equipment with scratches, flaking coatings, or fungus/mold. Mold grows in damp storage conditions and permanently eats away at optical coatings. Test Mechanical Operations In Person: Arrange local pickup whenever possible to test the gear. Rack the focuser through its full range to ensure smooth motion, verify that mount lock knobs tighten properly, and check for wobbles or stripped threads. Verify GoTo Electronics and Tracking Motors: For computerized or tracking mounts, power on the unit to test motor slewing, controller screens, and firmware updates. Check battery compartments for acid corrosion, which frequently ruins neglected electronics. Compare Against Retail Pricing:

    Cross-reference the original retail listing to check the standard asking price (fair used prices generally hover around 60–75% of current retail) and confirm that missing essentials like counterweights, hand controllers, or finder scopes are accounted for in the deal.

    Ask for Close-Up Photos and "Pencil" Tests: If buying remotely, request high-resolution, unedited photographs of optics from multiple angles. Asking the seller to place a specific object (like a handwritten note) next to the gear helps verify that they actually possess the equipment. Inquire About Storage and Service History: Ask where the equipment was stored. Mounts kept in unconditioned sheds or outdoor garages are prone to rusted gears, degraded grease, and moisture damage. High-end mounts may also have a documented service history. Watch Out for DIY Modifications: Amateur astronomers frequently alter equipment. Ensure any past modifications—such as custom focuser upgrades, flocking, or drilled mounting plates—were executed professionally and won't hinder performance or future resale value. Evaluate Mount Payload Capacity Realistically: Don't evaluate a telescope tube in isolation; ensure the bundled or intended mount can handle the weight. For astrophotography, plan for a payload weight that is no more than half of the mount's advertised maximum capacity. Use Secure Payment Methods with Buyer Protection: When paying online or via long-distance shipping, always use payment channels that offer buyer protection (such as standard PayPal Purchase options rather than "Friends & Family") to safeguard against scams or damaged goods. Ensure the item is well protected with proper packaging. Purchase shipping insurance when acquiring expensive gear.

    We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.

    Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can!

    Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!

    Every bit helps! Thank you!

    ------------------------------------

    Do go visit http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness!

    http://cosmoquest.org/Donate This show is made possible through your donations.

    Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!)

    ------------------------------------

    The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http://www.psi.edu

    Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org.

    Thu, 17 Sep 2026 - 55min
  • 4266 - Deep Astronomy - The Triangulum Galaxy: The Most Distant Naked Eye Object

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmzJj2i81H0

    Hosted by Tony Darnell.

    From Nov 7, 2017.

    Have you ever wondered what the most distant object we can see with our naked eyes is? The answer is The Triangulum Galaxy some three million light years from Earth. This galaxy, along with the Great Andromeda Galaxy will collide with our Milky Way in about four billion years. This galaxy collision will herald in a new era for our home galaxy The Milky Way. We will transform into an entirely new galaxy with billions more stars.

    If you like this content, please consider supporting Deep Astronomy on Patreon!

    Created with Stellarium Open Source Software:

    http://www.stellarium.org/

    Original Music - Mark C. Petersen, Lochness Productions:

    https://www.lochnessproductions.com/

    We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.

    Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can!

    Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!

    Every bit helps! Thank you!

    ------------------------------------

    Do go visit http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness!

    http://cosmoquest.org/Donate This show is made possible through your donations.

    Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!)

    ------------------------------------

    The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http://www.psi.edu

    Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org.

    Wed, 16 Sep 2026 - 06min
  • 4265 - Cheap Astronomy - Dear CA # 139: Clearing the Neighborhood

    Saving the world on a tight budget.

    Hosted by Steve Nerlich.

    Dear Cheap Astronomy – Can we clear all the PHOs from around Earth?

    A key feature of Cheap Astronomy's CSOTM (Crash Shirt On The Moon) proposal is that the most readily available source of shirt to crash are near Earth asteroids and a small number of comets. This has the double benefit of putting all the raw materials in one place, plus you are clearing out potentially hazardous objects that could collide with Earth at some time in the future.

    Dear Cheap Astronomy – Can we really deflect asteroids with rocket engines?

    This is a follow up episode to our recent one about crashing near-Earth objects on the Moon. Where a listener wrote to critique a throw-away line we made about attaching a rocket engine to an asteroid, particularly if it was a rubble pile asteroid. They were too polite to say it's a dumb-@$$ idea, but yeah, it is probably a dumb-@$$, well sort-of maybe.

    We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.

    Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can!

    Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!

    Every bit helps! Thank you!

    ------------------------------------

    Do go visit http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness!

    http://cosmoquest.org/Donate This show is made possible through your donations.

    Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!)

    ------------------------------------

    The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http://www.psi.edu

    Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org.

    Tue, 15 Sep 2026 - 15min
  • 4264 - Astronomy Cast Ep. 800: The Beginning & End of Everything - Part 1

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDFCqCj0ofk

    Streamed live on Sep 7, 2026.

    Hosted by: Fraser Cain (@frasercain) and Dr. Pamela L. Gay (@CosmoQuest)

    This show is supported through people like you on Patreon.com/AstronomyCast

    To celebrate our 20th season, we thought we'd go back right to the beginning… of everything. Let's wind the clock back to the earliest moments of the Universe, where we'll measure time in fractions of a second. As the foundational laws of physics were laid down and we experience the repercussions to this day!

    We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.

    Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can!

    Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!

    Every bit helps! Thank you!

    ------------------------------------

    Do go visit http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness!

    http://cosmoquest.org/Donate This show is made possible through your donations.

    Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!)

    ------------------------------------

    The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http://www.psi.edu

    Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org.

    Mon, 14 Sep 2026 - 40min
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