Star Trails: A Weekly Astronomy Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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, 2024
• The Sound of the Big Band
• Cosmic Microwave Background

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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 storm
• Video of solar ejection

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!