Star Trails: From Backyard Astronomy to Cosmic Wonder

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...

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 t...

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...

Join us as we delve into the celestial events for the week of May 5th. An incredible meteor shower peaks this week under dark skies, thanks to a New Moon. Planetary observations are scant this week, but plenty of opportunities abound for viewing deep sky objects, such as the Hercules Cluster, thanks to this week's darker conditions. Also, we take a quick detour through a cosmic void, and later, lo...

Tune in this week with Drew on Star Trails as we embark on a celestial safari from April 28 to May 4. Uncover the dynamic changes of the moon, catch early sightings of Jupiter at sunset, and meet the morning stars, Saturn and Mars. We'll guide you through spotting elusive planets like Uranus and Neptune with your binoculars and delve deep into the cosmos to the Virgo Cluster. Plus, we pay homage t...

Join us on this week's episode of Star Trails, where we dive into the celestial events lighting up the night from April 21-27, 2024. While a bright full Moon may create difficult conditions for dim objects, Mars and Saturn will keep us company in the morning, while the Lyrid Meteor Shower peaks mid-week. Plus, we explain the celestial coordinate system of right ascension and declination, and how y...

Join us as we delve into the celestial events for the week of April 14th. Early morning planets, a slender Moon, and a meteor shower are our targets for this week. Additionally, we celebrate Earth Day by turning our gaze from the heavens to the Earth's own shadow and the Belt of Venus, witnessing the delicate interplay of light and atmosphere that paints the twilight sky. We also take a look at da...

Join us this week as we embark on a celestial journey starting April 7. This week is filled with astronomical phenomena, including a total solar eclipse, planetary conjunctions, and the New Moon ensures dark skies for observations. Plus, we take a look at the life cycle of stars, and a significant moment in space exploration. Sky map for week starting April 7, 2024 For more episodes and resources...

Join us this week as we embark on a celestial journey starting March 31. Host Drew guides you through a week of astronomical wonders, from the waning crescent to the waxing crescent moon, setting the stage for prime stargazing opportunities. The Moon has a close encounter with Mars and Saturn, and the breathtaking spectacle of the upcoming total solar eclipse is only a week away. Plus, don't miss...

Join us this week on a celestial journey through the night sky for the week starting March 24, 2024. Mercury reaches its Greatest Eastern Elongation on March 24, We'll then dive into the subtle beauty of a deep penumbral lunar eclipse occurring in the early hours of March 25, and we offer up a guide on how to spot Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks. Also, we look back at a major development in astronomy in the...

Join us in this episode as we navigate the night sky for the week starting March 17, 2024. As the week of March 17th, 2024, unfolds, we stand on the cusp of the spring equinox, a time of balance between day and night, and a herald for the celestial wonders of the new season. Look for Mercury at dusk as it heads toward elongation; Jupiter continues to dazzle and catch the Zodiacal Light. Plus, we o...

Join us in this episode as we navigate the night sky for the week starting March 10, 2024. Get ready for a stargazer's feast featuring the New Moon's dark canvas, brilliant planets, and spring's constellation parade. Don't miss the Jupiter-Moon conjunction on March 13. Plus, we discuss the ecliptic plane and its role in the celestial dance.

This week on "Star Trails," join us for a celestial adventure starting March 3rd, 2024. We highlight the annual Messier Marathon, a unique challenge for amateur astronomers to spot all 110 Messier objects in one night, with this year's prime viewing on March 9th due to the new moon's dark skies. How to Run the Messier Marathon ( spacetourismguide.com ) Explore the changing night sky as host Drew g...

This episode of "Star Trails" takes listeners on an astronomical tour of the night sky for the week starting February 25, 2024. Host Drew invites stargazers to celebrate the month's end with a sky full of celestial highlights. As we transition into the cusp of spring, the Snow Moon begins to wane. Jupiter dazzles, and Comet C/2021 S3 (PanSTARRS) dances on the morning horizon.

This episode of "Star Trails" takes listeners on an astronomical tour of the night sky for the week starting February 18, 2024. Host Drew guides you through a celestial showcase beginning with Venus and Mars in the pre-dawn sky. As the night unfolds, the rising of Leo, heralds the approach of spring. The Snow Moon arrives at week's end.

This episode of "Star Trails" takes listeners on an astronomical tour of the night sky for the week starting February 11, 2024. Drew highlights some of the night sky's most romantic sights, including the return of Venus and Mars. The First Quarter Moon makes an appearance on February 16, and the Andromeda Galaxy dazzles.

This episode of "Star Trails" takes listeners on an astronomical tour of the night sky for the week starting February 4, 2024. Drew highlights key constellations visible in the North American skies, such as the radiant Orion with its notable belt and the Orion Nebula, as well as Taurus and the Pleiades star cluster. The episode also covers visible planets including Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus. Addi...

Star Trails is a weekly look at what's in the sky above. In a world where the night sky unfolds in infinite wonder, Star Trails is your guide to the celestial stories written in the stars. Join us as we voyage beyond the boundaries of Earth, exploring the mysteries of the universe, one star at a time. Star Trails primarily highlights astronomical phenomena visible to listeners in North America.