Star Trails: From Backyard Astronomy to Cosmic Wonder

In this week’s episode, we’re covering the sky highlights for November 10th through 16th. Get ready for the year’s last supermoon, and the bright close-up appearances of Jupiter and Saturn alongside our lunar companion. Plus, the Leonid Meteor Shower is coming. This “king of meteor showers,” is known for its legendary meteor storms! Also, we’ll take a look at cosmic rays—high-speed particles that...

Join host Drew in this special episode of Star Trails as he takes you inside a lively star party hosted by the Midlands Astronomy Club. Experience the unique camaraderie, captivating stories, and the rich tapestry of amateur stargazing culture as Drew chats with club veterans and newcomers alike. Afterward, stay tuned for an in-depth guide to November’s night sky, featuring highlights like Venus’...

Join us for a haunting Halloween edition of Star Trails as Drew teams up with the enigmatic "Eternal Watcher," a spectral voice from the cosmic beyond, to reveal the eeriest celestial wonders lurking in the night sky. Take a journey through the ghostly side of the cosmos, from the Witch Head and Ghost Nebulae to the "Eye of God" — a nebula that seems to gaze back at us. Alongside our celestial sig...

Join us as we explore the night sky from October 20th to the 26th. This week is packed with celestial delights, including the Orionid and Leonis Minorids meteor showers, planetary conjunctions, and the star of the show, Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS). Drew will describe his efforts to spot and capture this spectacle, which is a must-see for any backyard astronomer. We’ll also discuss one of t...

The week of October 13-19 brings a cosmic lineup you won’t want to miss. We’ll explore the Full Hunter’s Moon, a supermoon that’s set to be the biggest and brightest of 2024. Saturn and Jupiter, which will be sharing the sky with the moon this week, creating stunning pairings you can spot just after sunset. Plus, we’ll explore the fascinating world of orbital resonances, where the gravitational da...

In this episode we take a journey through the night sky for the week of October 6th to the 12th. Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn are dazzling planets to observe this week, with special highlights like Io and Europa's shadow transits across the Jovian surface. We also explore deep sky objects like the Owl Cluster, the Pleiades, and the striking Blue Snowball Nebula. We’ll investigate the lore of Perseus...

In this episode we journey through the night sky from September 29th to October 5th, 2024. As the week begins with a Waning Crescent Moon and leads into a New Moon on October 2nd, it’s the perfect time for deep-sky observation. Also, comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), is making a rare appearance on the morning horizon. Later, we look at two lesser-known constellations, Lacerta and Equuleus, both...

In this episode, we welcome the arrival of the autumnal equinox, signaling longer nights perfect for stargazing. The week of September 22nd to 28th is a great starting point for fall observations, including Saturn, Jupiter, and a picturesque crescent moon near Mars. We’ll also explore the intriguing constellation Cassiopeia and its rich mythology. Later, Drew shares unforgettable stargazing experi...

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 grou...

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 hol...

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...

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 cl...

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, in...

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,...

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 whic...

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.sho...

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 backy...

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 dazzlin...

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 vie...

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,...

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 n...

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 C...

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...

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...

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 celebrat...