podcasts?

[stevoggo (Stephen)]

Hi all newb here..again..
Recently purchased Australian sky and telescope and found it quite enjoyable. I really enjoyed a couple of articles well suited to the newb...the "suburban star hop" and "targets"
in the first the contributor takes a star pattern, in this case Aries and takes you through it a star at a time, also pointing out points of interest within the neighbourhood. the second is similair.
I would really like to "take the tour"..the problem is, i either memorise the entire text prior, or move away from the scope turn on my redlight, read the tiny text in the dark, memorise the next bit and then head back to the scope my which time things have moved ...etc..etc..
i thought wouldn't it be good if this text was read, podcast onto mp3 and i could listen to it on my "eyepod" whilst looking through my ipiece.!!(groan) C'mon its a good idea...
So its probably done....
there seems to be a lot of astronomy podcasts, but more like radio programs, about astronomy...not designed for someone (probably a newb...) actually looking through a scope...
If they are out there for the major constelation please post a link...if it hasn't been done yet I have the recording facility ////who has the knowledge and the smooth, reassuring well educated sounding voice?
I guess they could be used as a resource the world over and generate either money, or at the least publicity for this site!!
Any suggestions ideas or links?
cheers all
Steve

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi steve

Not a bad idea, I'm not aware of any like that. There are "what's in the sky this week" type podcasts, but they also assume some knowledge about the constellations and "what that bright star is".

[sheeny (Al)]

It's a good idea, but I can see some challenges with it. It would need some sort of supplementary info like a star chart so the listener can identify at least the starting point, unless you assume some basic knowledge of the sky... and we all know what happens when you assume!

Al.

[stevoggo (Stephen)]

Thankyou, yes those are good points.

This would have to be for people that have identified a constellation and then want more knowledge about it.
A basic star chart could be supplied with the podcast showing the starting point and direction of travel around the constellation...but the point would be to look through a constellation without having to stop to read a chart, directions supplied via the headphones.


i envisage it starting with a wideangle view of the group before zooming in and star hopping your way around it (I know this may be challenging which is why it would need a person who knows how to do it.)
Probably take the tour with a fairly wide angle first, then zoom in as you become accustomed to the movements. It would mention some of the names, interesting history behind them blah blah.

There are many basic star charts readily available, there are links on this website to several free updated ones. I got a useful one this month in a magazine.
Having used them as a total newb I have been able to start identifying some constellations, ie Orion, Taurus, Canis Major with relative ease.

It could also be done as a community activity, if people want to pick a constellation and write down a "script" for it.

We could always start with one, post it, people try it, we get feedback, redo it etc.

Cheers again.

steve

[erick (Eric)]

Haven't listened to these for some months now, but maybe something like these, a bit more detailed?

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/podcasts

[stevoggo (Stephen)]

Hi guys,

Yes Eric just like that but in more detail. In this months Aust sky and tele, they have a suburban star hop article all about Aries. If not for copyright I would simply modify and record that as thats what sparked the idea.
Maybe if someone knows of a similair article that is free from copyright (perjaps freeshare on the net) or (perhaps because they wrote it?) I could try that.
thanks again for your input
steve