KFOG Broadcast - October 25, 2011

I was a guest on a live broadcast with the KFOG Morning Show today, talking about Jupiter, things to see in the Autumn night sky, the Pleiades, meteor showers, and the Bay Area Science Festival. The DJs on the Morning Show are an interesting group, and the conversation is always lively. Click here to listen.

KFOG Podcast - Sep 16, 2011

Today's discussion with KFOG's Irish Greg features (a) the Milky Way in the Autumn Sky, (b) Fireball across Southern California, (c) new planets being discovered, and (d) the Supernova in the Pinwheel Galaxy. As always, it's good fun and in exactly 8 minutes, you'll be a more informed citizen scientist. Click here to listen.

KFOG Podcast - July 8, 2011

Today was the final launch of the Space Shuttle. KFOG's Irish Greg and I talk about this historic event, about the wonders of the Summer night sky, and about upcoming Star Parties in the San Francisco Bay Area. All in 5 minutes! Listen here.

KFOG Podcast - June 10, 2011

KFOG's Irish Greg and I talk about Saturn and a Double Star, the Big Dipper and asterisms, a fun event where I'll be showing off the night sky, observatories that have public viewing nights, and a massive solar flare. Listen here. A good time is guaranteed!

KFOG Podcast - May 6, 2011

In today's podcast, KFOG's Irish Greg and I talk about the big planetary conjunction, how to find deep-space objects, upcoming astronomy lectures and star parties on Mt. Tam, and the likelihood of astronomical chaos on May 21st :-) Listen here!

KFOG Podcast - April 4, 2011

In today's podcast with Irish Greg of the KFOG Morning Show, we discuss the upcoming alignments of the Moon with star clusters in the evening sky, and I tell Greg about the upcoming festivities on Thursday in San Francisco at the Cal Academy's "NightLife" party celebrating Yuri's Night. It's quick and fun, so click here to listen.

KFOG Podcast - March 4, 2011

As always, I had a good time at KFOG today talking with Morning Show co-host Irish Greg who has boundless enthusiasm for just about everything, including talking with me about all-things-astronomical. We even did some indoor stargazing (see photo) in the KFOG broadcast studio :-). Check out our podcast for the latest on what to see in the sky, and where to go to hear some excellent lectures and talks about astronomy.

KFOG Podcast - January 20, 2011

My monthly conversation with KFOG Morning Show's Irish Greg moved from the new Zodiac signs (such as Ophiuchus) to the Aurora Borealis to the big bold winter constellations such as Orion and bright stars such as Sirius. Click here to listen and get inspired to look up at the sky tonight!

KFOG Podcast - December 3, 2010

Today on the KFOG Morning Show Podcast with Irish Greg, we talked about the discovery of new stars in the galaxy, alien life forms right here on Earth, the upcoming Geminids Meteor Shower on December 13-14, the upcoming Total Lunar Eclipse on December 20-21, and Holiday Shopping including a special 10% discount on anything at Scope City in San Francisco (my favorite place to shop) if you mention KFOG or The Urban Astronomer. Click here to listen. And take advantage of the 10% offer while it lasts!

KFOG Podcast - October 26, 2010

Today's Urban Astronomer talk with Irish Greg of the KFOG Morning Show features the North Star, Meteor Showers in November and December, some early shopping tips for the holidays, cool iPhone Apps, Jupiter and more. It's always a treat to talk with KFOG and share some astronomy tips with the listeners. Click here to listen.

KFOG Podcast - September 10, 2010

Another fun visit with Irish Greg of the KFOG Morning Show, today featuring a discussion of constellations to see this time of year (Sagittarius, Scorpius, The Summer Triangle) and the difference between an asterism and a constellation, plus deep-space objects you can see in the Milky Way with an ordinary pair of binoculars. And the latest happenings with the Moon and Venus, and an update on a great star party and lecture this weekend. All in 7 short minutes! Click here to listen.

KFOG Podcast - July 16, 2010

I was in San Francisco this morning recording another podcast for the KFOG Morning Show Podcast Series. Morning Show Producer Irish Greg and I had a very spirited and lively conversation about planets, the Solar System, Star Parties, Iridium Flares, Dark Energy and Dark Matter. In a fast-paced 9-minute conversation we discuss everything from the phase of the Moon to the origin of the Universe. Get inspired to see the sky tonight: Click here to listen.

KFOG Podcast - April 14, 2010

KFOG Podcast - Mar 16, 2010

KFOG Podcast - Feb 12, 2010

I've been a frequent guest on KFOG 104.5-FM in San Francisco for the last two years. I am going to start a new series of programs with KFOG's Irish Greg that they will include in their Morning Show "Web Show" page. I am looking forward to regular recordings with KFOG, keeping the Fogheads up to date with the goings-on in the sky. Here's the first of our recordings with conversation about what to see in the Winter sky, a few words about the San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers, and some tips for telescope shopping.

KFOG Broadcast - Dec 10, 2009

KFOG Broadcast - Nov 10, 2009

KFOG Broadcast - September 8, 2009

Amateur Astronomy on KALW Radio / SFAA Star Parties

I like blogging about astronomy because I want to get the public motivated to spend a few minutes out under the stars instead of staying inside at night. To that end, I've been able to extend my reach by being a guest on KFOG radio from time to time. This week KALW, public radio at 91.7FM in San Francisco, broadcast a feature story on the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers at one of their Star Parties on Mt Tam. It's great radio and it gives you a good perspective on what you do at at Star Party. KALW also recorded a brief interview with yours truly talking about the night sky. I used to be a radio DJ years ago and it's a real pleasure to have the opportunity to get in front of a microphone and reach out to the public over that medium, be it on KFOG or KALW.

The next chance to meet the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers at a star party on Mt Tam is this Saturday night, July 25th. The evening opens at 8:30 pm with a lecture by Dr. Natalie Batalha of San Jose State, talking about a NASA mission called Kepler. The Kepler Mission is looking for habitable planets that are orbiting other stars in the Milky Way. After the lecture, the SFAA will have telescopes for public viewing of the heavens. Unfortunately I will miss the lecture and star party on Mt Tam this month, but fortunately I'll be near Lake Tahoe enjoying dark skies and hosting some star parties there. More on that in a future post.

KFOG Broadcast: July 15, 2009