Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Originally broadcast on December 2, 2023.
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have access to dark skies and secure observatories. With light pollution on the rise and nosey neighbors around every corner, what's an aspiring citizen scientist to do? Answer: *Science!* With a little ingenuity, it's possible to observe even in the brightest inner-city environment: a fact which our Executive Director, Dr. Brian Kloppenborg, knows only too well. As practiced as he is at doing science from his balcony, it's only fitting that he joined us to share his experience with observing from urban environments, and provide advice and techniques for making the experience more productive. Highlights of his talk included:
- The impact of light pollution, and science you can do in spite of it
- Finding a safe place to observe—legally!
- Observing with extremely limited horizons
- Convincing your HOA to allow you to do astronomy
- The rapidly changing landscape of smart telescopes
- The possibility of a mobile observatory setup
Afterwards, in true How-To fashion, we hosted an extended interactive Q&A, answering a wide variety of questions about all things urban observing.
Don't miss this special, series-end webinar!
*✩ Interested in attending a live How-to webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/programs-events to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
Originally broadcast on December 2, 2023.
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have access to dark skies and secure observatories. With light pollution on the rise and nosey neighbors around every corner, what's an aspiring citizen scientist to do? Answer: *Science!* With a little ingenuity, it's possible to observe even in the brightest inner-city environment: a fact which our Executive Director, Dr. Brian Kloppenborg, knows only too well. As practiced as he is at doing science from his balcony, it's only fitting that he joined us to share his experience with observing from urban environments, and provide advice and techniques for making the experience more productive. Highlights of his talk included:
- The impact of light pollution, and science you can do in spite of it
- Finding a safe place to observe—legally!
- Observing with extremely limited horizons
- Convincing your HOA to allow you to do astronomy
- The rapidly changing landscape of smart telescopes
- The possibility of a mobile observatory setup
Afterwards, in true How-To fashion, we hosted an extended interactive Q&A, answering a wide variety of questions about all things urban observing.
Don't miss this special, series-end webinar!
*✩ Interested in attending a live How-to webinar on Zoom?* Visit aavso.org/programs-events to view our schedule and register for upcoming events.
