Backyard Astronomer - Delta College Public Radio

Latest Episodes:

8/15/22 - Mars, Moon & the Pleiades Aug 17, 2022

Show notes

As the moon advances past full and moves further into the eastern sky, we’ll have a chance to see it greet the planet Mars on the morning of August 19.

8/8/22 - Does The Moon Rotate? Aug 09, 2022

Show notes

Since one side of the moon always faces the earth, it's often assumed that means the moon doesn't rotate. But that's not really the case.

8/1/22 - The Lunar Seas Aug 01, 2022

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As the phase of the moon grows steadily from crescent to first quarter to full, it’s a good opportunity to explore the contrasts of light and dark on its surface.

7/25/22 - The Eye of the Eagle Jul 25, 2022

Show notes

After dusk, look about a third of the way up the eastern sky for a moderately bright star. It’s flanked by two fainter stars above and below it. This is Altair, the brightest star in the constellation of Aquila the Eagle.

7/18/22 - The Keystone of Hercules Jul 19, 2022

Show notes

Hercules, the strong man of ancient mythology, rides high overhead in early summer. While its stars are not particularly bright, its most distinctive shape are the four stars in its center known as the Keystone.

7/11/22 - Tail of the Swan Jul 11, 2022

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Cygnus the Swan is now visible in the northeast after twilight. Its brightest star Deneb marks the tail of Cygnus, and turns out to be one of the most luminous stars in the galaxy.

7/4/22 - The Moon Waxes Jul 07, 2022

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Each night, the moon appears to slip a little further back or eastward among the stars, reaching Full on July 13th. The July Full Moon is known as the Buck Moon but will also be a "Super Moon".

6/27/22 - The Summer Triangle Jun 27, 2022

Show notes

As evening twilight fades into night, look for three bright stars high in the east that form a giant triangle in the sky. Each belongs to its own constellation, but the triangle is a great way to “star hop” to areas of interest.

6/20/22 - Antares the Supergiant Jun 20, 2022

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As twilight ends around 10:30pm, look low in the southeast for a bright reddish star – this is Antares, the heart of Scorpius the Scorpion.

6/13/22 - Planets on Parade Jun 13, 2022

Show notes

From now through the rest of June, you’ll have a unique opportunity to see a lineup of all five naked eye planets during morning twilight.