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 of which present a rewarding challenge for stargazers seeking to broaden their knowledge.

Finally, we dive deep into the lore surrounding Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Discover why cultures from Ancient Greece to Native America and even prehistoric peoples saw a bear in these stars and how the myth has endured across time and geography.

For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!

Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.

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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 experiences while traveling through the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, from witnessing Venus at 36,000 feet to watching the Northern Lights dance over the Big Dipper. We’ll offer up some tips on how you can enjoy astronomy while on vacation.

Lastly, Drew wraps up with a recommendation for a fascinating astronomy book that blends the history of planet-hunting with Einstein’s revolutionary theory of relativity. Check out The Hunt for Vulcan.

For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!

Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.

If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!

Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.

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 groundbreaking missions that have uncovered its secrets.

For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!

Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.

If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!

Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.

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 holes.

For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!

Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.

If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!

Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.

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 more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!

Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.

If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!

Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.

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 clocks.

For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!

Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.

If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!

Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.

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, including Jupiter, Mars, and Venus. For the early risers, we explore the elusive Zodiacal Light and its mystical glow in the pre-dawn hours.

We'll also venture deep into the cosmos and take a look at the emerging science of gravitational waves. Discover how these ripples in space-time, predicted over a century ago, are opening a new window into the universe and reshaping our understanding of cosmic events.

Links:

How does LIGO work?

Ripples of Gravity, Flashes of Light

For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!

Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.

If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!

Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.

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, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Clear skies and happy stargazing!

Join us on Substack to get the weekly night sky report as a newsletter, and additional astronomy news. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails.

If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!

Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use our RSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.