Episodes
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In this episode we explore an extraordinary week of lunar events from September 15-21, 2024. Mid-week we’ll experience the spectacle of the Full Harvest Moon, which also happens to be a supermoon, and witness a partial lunar eclipse visible across the Americas, Europe, and Africa.
Later, we journey to the mysterious far side of the Moon, exploring its geology, historical significance, and the groundbreaking missions that have uncovered its secrets.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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In this episode we take a look at the night sky for the week starting September 8th, including a closer look at the prominent constellation Cygnus, and some of the deep sky objects you can see this month.
We’ll also explore quasars—some of the most mysterious and powerful objects in the universe. Learn about these cosmic beacons that shine from the early universe, powered by supermassive black holes.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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Missing episodes?
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Join us on this week's episode as we explore the night sky from September 1 to 7. With the New Moon providing darker skies, it’s a perfect time to observe deep sky objects, plus, spot the dazzling Venus at dusk.
We also unravel the lore behind the constellation Pegasus and explain how the Moon’s subtle wobble, known as lunar libration, lets us glimpse more of its surface than you might expect.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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Join us on this week's episode as we explore the night sky from August 25 to 31. This week, Mars, the Moon, and Jupiter come together in a stunning celestial triangle visible in the early morning hours. We'll also take a deep dive into the constellation Andromeda, home to the nearest spiral galaxy to our own Milky Way.
Plus, discover the fascinating world of pulsars—nature's most precise cosmic clocks.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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Join us for another journey through the cosmos for the week starting August 18th. We start with the breathtaking Full Sturgeon Moon, a blue supermoon that will dazzle the night with its brilliance. We'll also discuss what makes a moon "super" and "blue."
As the Moon cozies up to Saturn, we share tips for observing this close encounter, along with updates on other planetary highlights this week, including Jupiter, Mars, and Venus. For the early risers, we explore the elusive Zodiacal Light and its mystical glow in the pre-dawn hours.
We'll also venture deep into the cosmos and take a look at the emerging science of gravitational waves. Discover how these ripples in space-time, predicted over a century ago, are opening a new window into the universe and reshaping our understanding of cosmic events.
Links:
How does LIGO work?
Ripples of Gravity, Flashes of Light
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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This week features the spectacular Perseid Meteor Shower, a Mars-Jupiter conjunction, and Saturn is at opposition.
We’ll also explore the fascinating world of radio astronomy, uncovering the history, technology, and groundbreaking discoveries of this unique field.
Resources mentioned:
Radio JOVE Project
Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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Join us for another journey through the cosmos for the week starting August 4th. In this episode we’re taking a look at nebulae — those vast, colorful clouds of gas and dust that play a crucial role in the life cycle of stars. Discover the different types of nebulae, from the bright emission nebulae like the Orion Nebula to the mysterious dark nebulae like the Horsehead Nebula. Plus, find out which nebulae are best for amateur astronomers to observe, especially with the darker skies brought by the New Moon this week.
There are some interesting stargazing events this week, including the close encounter of the crescent Moon and Venus, Mars and Jupiter in Taurus, and the highlight of the month — the Perseids Meteor Shower, which peaks next week.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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This week, we’re taking a look at the diverse and complex world of galaxies. From the spiral beauty of the Milky Way to the mysterious elliptical giants, we’ll uncover the secrets of these colossal structures.
Later in the episode, we’ll highlight a stunning celestial alignment involving the Moon, Mars, and Jupiter.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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Summer is an excellent time to view the Milky Way. In this episode we’ll explore the structure of our home galaxy and highlight prominent constellations and deep-sky objects along the vast galactic plane.
We’ll also welcome this month’s Full Moon, known as the Buck Moon. Plus, get updates on the visible planets and tips for the best stargazing experiences.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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Join us for the week of July 14 to July 20. In this episode we dive into the Summer Triangle and discover the myths and scientific marvels behind the stars Vega, Altair, and Deneb. Learn how to spot these celestial gems along with other deep sky objects in the summer sky.
Get up early for the conjunction of Uranus and Mars on July 15. Also, this month marks the start of observation for the dazzling Perseid meteor shower, which is always an anticipated astronomical event. We talk more about meteor showers and how to view them in the second half of the episode.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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This week we journey through the night sky for the week starting July 7th. As the moon transitions from its New Moon phase to the First Quarter, we'll revel in the darker skies perfect for stargazing. We’ll also look at three more summer constellations: Scutum, Pegasus, and Cetus, uncovering their notable stars, clusters, and deep sky objects.
We’ll discuss how to use averted vision to enhance viewing of dim objects, and we’re keeping an eye on T Coronae Borealis, a star that may go nova this summer!
We also share practical tips for new astronomers, focusing on what to expect when observing planets through a small telescope.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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This week on Star Trails, join Drew as we delve into the astronomical highlights from June 30th to July 6th, 2024. With the moon transitioning from a waning crescent to a new moon, the darkest skies of the month unveil the perfect backdrop for stargazing.
Witness Mars, Saturn, and the early morning planets, explore the intriguing lore behind the constellations Serpens, Delphinus, and Capricornus, and marvel at deep sky treasures like the Eagle Nebula and the Andromeda Galaxy.
We'll also unravel the mystery of retrograde motion—a celestial phenomenon that puzzled astronomers for centuries. Tune in for a cosmic journey that connects us with the universe's grand ballet.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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Join us this week as we journey through the celestial wonders awaiting stargazers from June 23rd to June 29th, 2024.
From the waning phases of the Moon to the best times to spot Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury, there's plenty to see. We also delve into the stories and features of the constellations Sagittarius, Cygnus, and Ophiuchus, highlighting the rich mythology and unique stars and nebulae within them.
We'll also take a look back at the Mars Pathfinder mission, which landed back in 1997.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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Join us on this week's episode of Star Trails as we explore the wonders of the night sky for the week of June 16-22. We'll start with the transition of the Moon from its Waxing Gibbous phase to the breathtaking Strawberry Moon, coinciding with the Summer Solstice. Discover the mythological stories and astronomical significance behind the lesser-known summer constellations Sagitta, Vulpecula, and Corona Borealis.
We'll delve into the mysterious and imminent nova of T Coronae Borealis. Plus, learn about solstices and equinoxes in our Astronomy 101 segment.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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Join us this week as we explore the night sky from June 9-15, 2024. Discover the celestial dance of the Moon with Regulus and Spica, and enjoy stunning views of Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter in the early morning sky. We'll delve into the lore of the late spring constellations Scorpius, Sagittarius, and Aquila, and revisit some classic stars and deep-sky objects.
Plus, journey back to the birth of the universe as we discuss the Cosmic Microwave Background -- the afterglow of the Big Bang!
Sky map for week starting June 9, 2024The Sound of the Big BandCosmic Microwave BackgroundFor more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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Join us as we journey through the cosmos and uncover the celestial highlights for the week of June 2, 2024. A spectacular six-planet parade visible on the morning of June 3rd is the highlight for this week. Learn the best times and locations for viewing this rare planetary spectacle, as well as tips for spotting deep-sky objects like the Dumbbell Nebula and the Butterfly Cluster.
In our Astronomy 101 segment, discover how to use a traditional star chart and save your night vision.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.
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Join Drew as we journey through the cosmos and uncover the celestial highlights for the week of May 26th, 2024. We'll dive into the Moon's phases, the visibility of planets like Saturn and Mars, and explore stunning deep-sky objects such as the Sombrero Galaxy, and the Owl Nebula.
Plus, don't miss our special segment on Voyager 2's historic encounter with Neptune on June 5, 1989, where we celebrate the spacecraft's remarkable contributions to our understanding of the outer planets.
Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
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Join us in this week's episode where the night sky comes alive with celestial wonders from May 19th to the 25th. Highlights include the Full Flower Moon, alongside some familiar constellations. The planets are lining up for a parade, and notable deep sky objects like the Whirlpool Galaxy and the Ring Nebula offer both novice and seasoned astronomers a feast for the eyes.
We also takes a moment to recount the historical 1919 solar eclipse expedition by Sir Arthur Eddington, which confirmed Einstein's theory of general relativity and reshaped our understanding of the universe.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
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Step into the stars with Drew as we journey through the night skies from May 12-18, 2024. From dynamic lunar phases to the intriguing disappearance of Saturn's rings, there's no shortage of cosmic phenomena to behold in the spring skies over North America.
With last week's geomagnetic storms, observers across the world are reporting seeing auroras much farther south than expected. Go out and see them if you can!
In addition to celestial sightings, Drew delves into the rich tapestry of celestial lore, connecting ancient myths to the constellations that grace our skies. Plus, in our Astronomy 101 segment, we shed light on the three main types of telescopes and their suitability for various celestial pursuits.
For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
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Be on the lookout for the Northern Lights!
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center has been closely watching the sun after a flurry of solar activity that began on May 8th. This activity could result in geomagnetic storms on Earth. In this special episode, we'll unravel the science behind these storms and their effects on our planet.
NOAA Report on G4 stormVideo of solar ejectionFor more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!
If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!
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