Night Sky Tourist

We’re taking a tour of the Northern night sky to identify the North Star and get to know the nearby constellations that circle it, also known as the Circumpolar Constellations. I’ll also share the Greek story of Ursa Major and introduce you to how other cultures saw this group of stars. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/86 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 86: Ful...

Duane Hamacher takes us into the fascinating world where science and indigenous knowledge converge. His deep knowledge about how the indigenous cultures used the night sky for their very livelihood will open your mind to another way of viewing the night sky. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/85 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 85: First Astronomers book: https://...

Winter is one of the very best times for stargazing. Unfortunately, it’s really easy to skip winter stargazing because it’s too cold. In this episode, I chat with Tacy Quinn and Lauren Theis to learn how to enjoy the outdoors no matter the weather the Scandinavian Way. They share their new project called “Gnome Matter the Weather” and their “15 Weeks of Frulifsliv” challenge. Visit NightSkyTourist...

Throughout human history, the Winter Solstice has probably been the most important and most celebrated time of the year no matter who you were or where you lived. Discover some fascinating Winter traditions from around the world. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/83 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 83: 2024 Stargazing Guide (free download) https://nightskytourist...

In this star tour of the night sky, you’ll learn a bit about the Geminids Meteor Shower that peaks this week and learn about the Greek story of Andromeda, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Perseus, and Poseidon. I also share recommendations with you for a stargazing app and my favorite telescopes for your holiday shopping. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/82 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LI...

Who certifies all these International Dark Sky Places? In this episode, I chat with Ruskin Hartley, the executive director of DarkSky International, the organization at the center of the global movement to protect the night sky from light pollution. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/81 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 81: DarkSky International: https://darksky.or...

In this episode, we take a stargazing tour across the night sky. While we’re at it, we’re going to spend some time getting to know Jupiter, also known as the King of the Planets. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/80 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 80: “Build a Backyard Compass with Seasonal Markers”: https://nightskytourist.com/backyard-compass/   Episode 54- Ex...

Night Sky Tourist loves the #OptOutside movement! I’ve got some fun ideas for you to craft your own OptOutside experience under the stars. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/79 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 79: REI #OptOutisde: https://www.rei.com/blog/social/the-history-of-opt-outside   Episode 29- Transform Your Life Outdoors with Amy Bushatz: https://nightsk...

Night Sky Tourist is celebrating our anniversary with a stellar episode. Be sure to vote in our poll on Spotify for this episode before it closes! Visit NightSkyTourist.com/78 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 78: Episode 29- Humans Outside with Amy Bushatz: https://nightskytourist.com/29/   Episode 2- Lights Out! with Marsha Diane Arnold: https://nightsky...

We take a little trip in this episode to the Emerald Isle of Ireland to chat with Georgia MacMillan. Georgia is the Development Officer for Ireland’s Mayo Dark Sky Park. She shares some great places for stargazing, which include observatories built in castles! She also shares about the newest International Dark Sky Park and the exciting events that they host each year. Get your green on and let’s...

Matthew Jackson is an astrophotographer who recently opened an art gallery in Livingston, Montana. His gallery, called Montana Dark Sky Photography, features astrophotography exclusively. I chat with Matt in-person at his gallery to find out how he got started, about his pandemic road trip, and his dark sky advocacy. I also share some amazing places you should visit when you go to Livingston or Pa...

Glacier National Park is one of the most scenic and amazing parks in the United States. Known as the backbone of the country, it is home to enormous glaciers, the largest population of bears in the lower 48 states, and extraordinary starry night skies. It’s also home to the Dusty Star Observatory and the Logan Pass Star Parties. Glacier is not kidding when it says, “Half the park is after dark.” D...

The night sky holds more than the moon and stars. It’s also home to migrating birds that mostly make their journeys at night. I chat with Andrew Farnsworth of Cornell Lab of Ornithology about the impact of light pollution on migrating birds. He shares easy solutions that homeowners and business owners can use to help protect our feathered friends from collisions with buildings while navigating at...

If you’ve never seen the Milky Way reflecting over a lake, you need to visit Prineville Reservoir State Park in Central Oregon. George Faria, the Park Ranger Supervisor, gives us an inside look at this certified International Dark Sky Park and it will inspire you to load up the car and head to the West Coast. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/73 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LIN...

Ohio might not seem like a place to enjoy great night skies, but Observatory Park is an exception. Chris Mentrek, a naturalist and the park’s astronomy and nature educator, gives us an inside look at the park and will leave you longing to visit. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/72 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: Observatory Park: https://www.geaugaparkdistrict.org/park/obs...

Ted Blank returns to Night Sky Tourist to talk about occultations and his latest adventure in recording one from his backyard. Astronomy is the oldest science, and it’s one of the only sciences that still relies on amateurs to help gather data. Ted shares how you can use your free time to record occultations and contribute to science. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/71 for more information about this ep...

Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas has some of the most well-preserved dark skies in the country. I chat with Jason Gablaski, the lead dark sky ranger at the park, about the best time of year for stargazing events, cultural astronomy of the indigenous people of the region, and things you can do during the day when you visit. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/70 for more information about this episo...

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a pristine International Dark Sky Sanctuary at the top of Minnesota. I chat with Ann Schwaller, the Program Manager for this wilderness area, about the night sky in this area and all the amazing ways people can recreate there. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/69 more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: http...

How much bright sunlight enters your eyes each day? How dark is your nighttime? In this episode, we dive into the cascade of hormones released in our bodies from early morning until late at night and how our lifestyle hijacks it. We talk about how to measure the light around us and what we can do to improve our bright days and dark nights for better physical and mental health. Visit NightSkyTouris...

Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, deserves a place at the top of your bucket list for night sky experiences. In this episode, Lowell’s executive director Dr. Jeffrey Hall shares about some exciting new additions to the visitor experience and gives us an amazing historical journey into Lowell’s past. Flagstaff also has several other noteworthy experiences for lovers of the night sky and cul...

Cherry Springs State Park is the world’s second International Dark Sky Park. Located in North Central Pennsylvania, the park boasts beautiful dark sky, stargazing programs, and amenities for astrophotographers and campers. In this episode, I chat with Susan Schenck, the park’s Environments Education Specialist. Visit https://nightskytourist.com/66/ for more information about this episode. CHECK OU...

Samyukta Manikumar was born and raised in Kenya, and now she lives in Slovenia. She chats with us about her career as an astrotourism designer, an astronomy enthusiast, and her advocacy for naturally dark skies.  Samyukta has a background in science communication, outreach, astrotourism, and experience design, which she brings together in her approach to dark sky conservation. She has a deep inter...

Kenneth Zoll has conducted extensive fieldwork in the ancient astronomy of the Southwest, particularly at a site known as V Bar V Ranch in Central Arizona. In this episode, we chat about the people who made the rock art, the astronomical associations discovered in the petroglyphs, and the importance of skywatching for these cultures. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/64 for more information about this epi...

New Zealand is working toward becoming the world’s first certified International Dark Sky Nation. And as you’ll hear from tonight’s guests, there’s a good reason for this. With some of the most pristine dark skies in the world and a rich night sky culture, you’ll want to put New Zealand at the top of your astrotourism travels. In this episode, I chat with Adrien Vilquin-Barrajon and Tutepourangi M...

Stéphane Picard launched Cliff Valley Astronomy during the COVID pandemic by offering small star parties. It didn’t take long for it to grow into a full-fledge astrotourism business based in New Brunswick, Canada, with plans for a grand event for the April 2024 total solar eclipse. Stéphane is an astronomer, astrophotographer, and an astropreneur. He’s also a member of the Saint John Astronomy Clu...