Backyard Astronomer - Delta College Public Radio

3/23/20 - Earthshine 24.03.2020 2:00 ↓

Later this week, the Waxing Crescent Moon makes its appearance in the west after sunset.

3/16/20 - A Trio of Morning Planets 16.03.2020 2:01 ↓

All this week, a trio of planets group closer together in the morning before dawn.

3/9/20 - The Little Beehive 10.03.2020 1:54 ↓

About 90 minutes after sunset, you can find Sirius and a cluster of stars called the Little Beehive.

3/2/20 - Gibbous Moon 02.03.2020 2:10 ↓

This week, the sunlit side of the Moon will seem to grow as the Moon itself slips backward among the stars.

2/24/20 - Moon Meets Venus & Uranus 25.02.2020 2:00 ↓

In the early evening skies after sunset, Venus continues to steal the show as a super bright "star" in the west.

2/17/20 - Use the Belt Stars 17.02.2020 2:00 ↓

The three bright stars that make up Orion's belt make for one of the best guideposts in the sky.

2/10/20 - The Orion Nebula 10.02.2020 2:00 ↓

With the Moon past full and moving into the post-midnight sky, now is the perfect opportunity to observe the Great Orion Nebula.

2/3/20 - Venus & Mercury 10.02.2020 1:59 ↓

The planet Venus is drawing spectacular attention in the west as it outshines all the other star-like objects in the west after sunset.

1/27/20 - The Waxing Moon 29.01.2020 1:54 ↓

The Moon appears low in the west at the beginning of this week, but will move further eastward each night.

1/20/20 - Betelgeuse Going Supernova? 22.01.2020 1:55 ↓

One of the best-known constellations of the winter sky is approaching its prime in the southern sky and one of its stars is due to explode someday.

1/13/20 - Mars Meets Its Rival 13.01.2020 1:54 ↓

At the beginning of the week, Mars will be above a slightly brighter star called “Antares.”

1/6/20 - The Wolf Moon 09.01.2020 1:55 ↓

This month, the full moon occurs Friday the 10th, when you can expect to see it slightly north of east after sunset.

12/30/19 - Quadrantid Meteor Shower 30.12.2019 2:00 ↓

If you like looking for meteors, mark the night of January 3 on your calendar!

12/23/19 - Birthday of the Sun 20.12.2019 1:55 ↓

Many of our modern holiday traditions have their roots in the winter festivals of long ago, including the date we now call Christmas.

12/16/19 - Fomalhaut 17.12.2019 2:00 ↓

About 90 minutes after sunset, look south for "The Lonely One" in an area devoid of other bright stars.

12/9/19 - The Cold Moon 09.12.2019 2:00 ↓

With the Winter Solstice fast approaching, it's no surprise that December's full moon is called the Cold Moon.

12/2/19 - Seven Sisters 03.12.2019 1:55 ↓

One of the most recognizable star clusters is now gracing the eastern sky after dark.

11/25/19 - The Andromeda Galaxy 25.11.2019 1:55 ↓

With little or no moon in the sky this week, it's a good time to look for one of the most famous deep sky objects.

11/18/19 - Venus Encounters Jupiter 18.11.2019 1:55 ↓

After more than a year, Venus finally makes its way back into the evening skies.

11/11/19 - Transit of Mercury 11.11.2019 1:55 ↓

On Monday, Nov. 11, the planet Mercury will pass in front of the Sun in a rare event known as a transit.

11/4/19 - Capella in Auriga 04.11.2019 1:56 ↓

The brightest star of the fall sky is currently low in the northeast after twilight.

10/28/19 - Cassiopeia the Queen 28.10.2019 1:55 ↓

Look high in the northeast for a group of bright stars that looks like a big "W" in the sky and you'll see the constellation of Cassiopeia the Queen.

10/21/19 - Orionid Meteor Shower 25.10.2019 1:55 ↓

You might have noticed an increase in the number of "shooting stars" in the morning sky before sunrise. This is due to the Orionid meteor shower, which is peaking right now.

10/14/19 - Great Square of Pegasus 14.10.2019 1:55 ↓

Each season has a notable group of stars to serve as a guidepost to that part of the sky. In autumn, we have the Great Square of Pegasus.

10/7/19 - The Lunar Seas 07.10.2019 1:55 ↓

The dark plains on the Moon are called maria or seas because early observers mistook them for bodies of water.