In this episode Mike and Dave discuss webcams, cameras and CCDs. Dave says DLSR (and that’s after a pint of Cola) a lot and almost chokes on air while Mike offends Saudi Arabia. We review the software products Backyard EOS and Firecapture and discuss using binoculars for astronomy. Links below to the stuff we chat about. Enjoy. 🙂

Have you got questions for the 2020 Astro team? Please send us an e-mail: podcast@2020astro.com (or message us on Twitter @2020Astro or Facebook: “2020 Astro”).

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Imaging Discussion/Debate/Fisticuffs:
CanonEOS
Nikon Cameras
Webcam (Philips SPC880 – Morgan Computers)
CCD Imaging ideas (Ian King Imaging)
Binoculars (Viewpoint Optics)

Reviews:

BackyardEOS (website)
FireCapture (website)

In this longer-than-usual episode we discuss choosing mounts for imaging (astro photography) as well as a guide to eyepieces and give our recommendations on what we think works best. Dave reviews Ninian Boyle’s debut book, “In the Lion’s Paw”. Dave also gets a brolly in his drink. Again.

Have you got questions for the 2020 Astro team? Please send us an e-mail: podcast@2020astro.com (or message us on Twitter @2020Astro or Facebook: “2020 Astro”).

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Mounts:
Skywatcher EQ3-2 SynScan
Skywatcher HEQ5
Skywatcher NEQ6

Losmandy GM8
Paramount ME

Eyepieces:
Celestron Plossl eyepiece set 
Revelation Plossl eyepiece set (FLO)

Reviews:

Book Review:
In the Lion’s Paw (Paperback but also available cheaply on the Kindle!) – (Amazon UK)

This episode is a shoot out between the Skywatcher Explorer 150P vs the Skywatcher SkyMax 102 Maksutov, and some alternatives. Plus, Mike goes on a bit again about Astrophotography, probably because he’s better than Dave at it… and Dave reveals his font of knowledge is actually based on one really cool book. Hope you like it! Let us know what you think, please e-mail: podcast@2020astro.com

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Other telescope review links:
HantsAstro Reviews area

Skywatcher SkyMax102
Skywatcher SkyMax127
Skywatcher Explorer 150P
Skywatcher Explorer 200P
Skywatcher Explorer 130P

Optrons/Seben 150/1400 Newt’  Great if you like cake! 🙂

Skywatcher EQ3-2 Mount
Skywatcher EQ5 Mount

Canon DSLR Camera reviews (DPReview)

Reviews:

Book Review:
Astronomy Hacks O’Reilly Media – (Amazon UK)

This Episode is a long term view of the William Optics Megrez 72FD Apochromatic refractor as a complete do-it-all package. A must-listen section on choosing the the right telescope for your kind of astronomy, plus two quick-fire App reviews on tracking ISS and Iridium flares. Hope you like it! Let us know what you think, please e-mail: podcast@2020astro.com

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Other Telescope review links:
HantsAstro Reviews area

Cloudy Nights
Stargazerslounge

Reviews:

Apps Review:
ISS Visibility (iTunes £1.49)   ISS Detector (Android-Google Play Free)
Iridium Flares (iTunes £1.49)   Iridium Flares Pro (Android-Google Play £0.89)

This Episode is all about the Mars Curiosity Rover, How to get to Mars, and a very apt Book Review. We hope you like it, and please raise a glass or two if you do! Let us know e-mail: podcast@2020astro.com

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Videos Of the Mars Curiosity Rover:
Mars Curiosity Tracker
NASA MSL Website
NASA Video Archive

Other links:
British Interplanetary Society
Qinetiq Ion Drive

Reviews:

Book Review: Red Mars – Kim Stanley Robinson  (Amazon UK)
Blue Mars – Kim Stanley Robinson (Amazon UK)
Green Mars – Kim Stanley Robinson  (Amazon UK)

Time to grab a pint with Mike and Dave while we drink, chat and discuss their way through Meteor Fishing, Star Parties and what to do to prepare your kit for the coming new season.

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Videos we mentioned during the podcast:
CGEM Hypertune
Collimating a Newtonian

Reviews:
Sky Safari 3 (for iOS) £1.99 Standard, £10.49 Plus, £27.99 Pro
Star Walk (for iPhone) £1.99
Star Walk (for iPad) £2.99

Book Review: Patrick Moore’s Astronomy Yearbook 2012  (Amazon UK)

Events
Herstmonceux Astronomy Festival 2012
Kelling Heath Autumn Equinox

Our second episode! We’ll be explaining how Solar observing works, Planetariums you can visit, and finding the best astronomy group for you! Also there is a review on the Coronado PST, and a book review of Turn Left at Orion. All this in 20 minutes! … and no, we really do like Farnborough. 😮

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Check out the links below:

Planetariums:
Astrium Planetarium, INTECH Winchester 
Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium, Chichester
Norman Lockyer Observatory, Sidmouth
Peter Harrison Planetarium, Greenwich, London
@Bristol Planetarium 

Reviews:
Meade Coronado PST (Ha Version)
Turn Left at Orion  (Amazon UK)
Baader Solar Film (Baader-Planetarium) There are two types (Visual/Imaging) – get the right one!.

Finding local Astronomy Groups:
AstroSouth Directory  (Free e-Zine)
Federation of Astronomical Societies (Map)

An introduction, a chat about the things you can see in the night sky, mounts and tripods and Dave reviews Empire of the Stars.

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