Audio Guide to the Galaxy

This week, we're learning to find our way around the night sky, and spotting a once-in-a-lifetime planetary conjunction. You can listen to this episode any night this week, but the planets will be at their closest on the 21st of December. Make sure you've got this episode downloaded and ready to go, and remember to take insect repellent and a jumper if it's cold. We'll see you outside!

The Audio Guide to the Galaxy is back! We're bringing you seven spectacular sessions of summer stargazing over the school holidays, guided by presenters from the Scitech Planetarium. Find us at scitech.org.au/stargaze or search for 'Audio Guide to the Galaxy' on iTunes, Google and Spotify. We'll see you outside!

Episode 2.8 - They might be giants... In the final episode for season 2, we're taking a look at the two largest planets in our solar system. Jupiter and Saturn just happen to be rising in the east just after sunset for the next few weeks - and that gives us the chance to take explore just how much they've shaped our solar system's story. You can listen to this episode at 7:30pm, any night for the...

A walking tour of the solar system Part 2: Jupiter to Neptune This week on the Audio Guide to the Galaxy, we're continuing our space walk. We'll be exploring the 4.2 billion km expanse of the solar system at 3.5 million kilometres a second. So put your walking shoes on, and let's get out of this world Once again, you can listen to this episode any time. Yep, even day time. If you missed part one l...

A walking tour of the solar system Part 1: Mercury to Mars This week on the Audio Guide to the Galaxy, we're going for a walk. No, really - we're walking through the inner planets of our solar system at 175 000km/s. So put your walking shoes on, and let's head into orbit. You can listen to this episode any time. Yep, even day time. Tune in next week for part two, which will take us beyond the aste...

Episode 2.5 - Tea and pancakes It's breakfast time! This week we're looking out through a cosmic pancake, and finding a teapot with a black hole on its spout. You can listen to this episode at 7pm, on any day over the next week or so. The objects we're looking at this week are especially impressive if you're outside the city - so if you're headed out camping soon, make sure you've got this episode...

Episode 2.4 - Finding solstice This Sunday, we're looking at the sun. Not directly at it though! We'll be talking about a syzygy, the solstice, and why we see eclipses - sometimes. We'll also have a go at spotting the International Space Station as it flies overhead - visit https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/ to get times for your location. You'll need to head outside at 5pm on Sunday June 21 to spot...

Episode 2.3 - Messengers in the sky This week, we're taking a look at the elusive planet Mercury, messenger of the gods in ancient myths. We're also meeting another, more pointed message from the gods in the form of Scorpius the Scorpion. Mercury will be visible for the next few weeks, but you'll need to head outside a little earlier than normal - we suggest 6pm.

Episode 2.2 - Syzygy This week we explore the relationship between the Earth and the Moon to understand the causes of tides and eclipses. We also ponder the most profound question in human existence: How do you pronounce syzygy? Oh, and 'How did we get here?' You can listen to this episode on any date, but the eclipse we're talking about is on 6 June 2020 at 3:24 am if you'd like to try catching i...

Episode 2.1 - Know where you stand In this episode, we'll be taking a look at how you can find your way around the night sky. Then, we're putting those skills to the test to find Chiron the Centaur. If you're new to the Audio Guide, this is a great place to start! You can listen to this episode on any date. We suggest heading outside at 7:30pm. Bring a jumper. Music this week is by Kyle Preston, a...

The Audio Guide to the Galaxy will be back on May 29 Thanks for joining us for the first season of the Audio Guide to the Galaxy! We can't wait to show you around the southern hemisphere's winter skies. Until then, we've put together a playlist of some of our spaciest background music. Together with what you've learned, it's everything you need to take your friends and family on your very own Audi...

Episode 6 - I could build a space ship May 8-15, 2020 This week we're looking at the difference between near stars and far stars, and then taking a look at our biggest star pattern yet - a ship filled with hope and heroes that covers half the southern sky. If you're having trouble finding anything we're talking about this week, we recommend listening to previous episodes of the Audio Guide. When s...

Episode 5 - To see a world in a grain of sand May 1-7, 2020 This week we're meeting at Betelgeuse, hopping across to catch up with some cosmic twins, and then looking up to ask the Moon how it got there. If you're having trouble finding anything we're talking about this week, we recommend listening to previous episodes of the Audio Guide. If you'd like to try a Late Heavy Bombardment of your own,...

Episode 4 - Wanna Know How I Got These Stars? April 25 - May 2, 2020 This week we put what we've learned to use on a tour through time, exploring where stars are born and how they die. Plus, stick around until the end for a very special birthday celebration. If you're having trouble finding anything we're talking about this week, we recommend listening to previous episodes of the Audio Guide. If y...

Episode 3 - Sirius-ly cool April 17 - 24, 2020 This week we're meeting a downward facing dog, finding the brightest star in the sky, and spotting a station that's far from stationary. This is an interactive recording and you can follow along as it plays. If you'd like to try spotting the ISS, you can sign up for email alerts at https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/ - or keep an eye on the Scitech Faceb...

Episode 2 - Second star on the left April 11, 2020 This week's episode will help you find one of the most famous patterns in the sky, teach you how to navigate by the stars, and take you beyond the solar system to our sun's next door neighbour. This is an interactive recording and you can follow along as it plays. When should I listen to this? : The weekend of Saturday April 11th, 7:30pm Where sho...

Episode 1 - Don't panic! April 4, 2020 This week's episode will guide you to another planet, explore some stories of the stars, and uncover some remarkable features of the moon. This is an interactive recording and you can follow along as it plays. When should I listen to this? : Saturday April 4th, 7:30pm Where should I be when listening? : Outside in your backyard. Bring your family along too! M...