Star Trails

• Crows, Cosmic Collisions, and the Coming Lyrids

  This week is a period of shifting moonlight, planetary pairings, and hidden wonders – oh, and there’s a new comet on its way around the sun, now visible in binoculars in the morning sky!

  We spotlight two underrated constellations: Corvus, the mythic crow tangled in Apollo’s wrath, and Canes Venatici, the quiet hunting dogs guarding a treasure trove of galaxies.

  Plus, we gear up for the Lyrids meteor shower, Earth’s oldest recorded celestial light show. Discover what to look for, when to watch, and how to make the most of your spring stargazing session.

  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. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails, or on Bluesky @startrails.bsky.social.

  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 ourRSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.

• Sky Serpents and Space Legends

  This week we journey through a sky filled with symbolism, science, and stories. April’s Full “Pink Moon” makes its appearance — this time as a micromoon, smaller and subtler than a supermoon, yet just as rich in seasonal lore. In the early morning hours, Venus, Saturn, and Mercury gather in a rare planetary trio low on the eastern horizon.

  As night falls, the great celestial serpent Hydra winds its way across the southern sky. We’ll discuss how to spot this sprawling constellation and explore its mythological roots, from the labors of Hercules to the lonely glow of Alphard, its brightest star.

  Then, we turn our gaze to a different kind of trailblazer: Yuri Gagarin. On the anniversary of his historic 1961 flight, we remember the first human to orbit the Earth—and the legacy of wonder and possibility he left behind.

  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. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails, or on Bluesky @startrails.bsky.social.

  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 ourRSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.

• Galaxy Season: A Deep Sky Adventure

  In this episode, we’re kicking off Galaxy Season, that magical stretch of springtime nights when the Northern Hemisphere gets some of the clearest views of deep-sky galaxies. From Bode’s Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy in Ursa Major to the stunning Whirlpool Galaxy and the elusive Needle Galaxy, we’ll explore some of the best targets for backyard stargazers.

  We’ll also talk about why galaxies are so captivating for astrophotographers and how long-exposure photography can reveal breathtaking details and colors our eyes can’t see.

  Plus, we’ll check in with the planets and the Moon, including some gorgeous conjunctions happening this week.

  Plan your Messier Marathon: Messier Objects: A Complete Guide

  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. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails, or on Bluesky @startrails.bsky.social.

  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 ourRSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.

• Spring Skies, a Solar Eclipse, and the Shadow of a Black Hole

  In this episode we explore the night sky from March 23-29, highlighting the waning crescent moon, a lineup of bright planets, and an upcoming partial solar eclipse—though not everyone will get a chance to see it.

  This week, we also take a look at two constellations that mark the arrival of spring: Virgo and Cancer. From galaxy clusters in Virgo to the Beehive Cluster in Cancer, there’s plenty to discover with just a small telescope or binoculars.

  Also, the biggest mystery of the cosmos takes center stage as we revisit one of the greatest achievements in modern astronomy—the first-ever image of a black hole. We’ll break down how astronomers used the entire Earth as a telescope to photograph the supermassive black hole at the heart of M87.

  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. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails, or on Bluesky @startrails.bsky.social.

  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 ourRSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.

• Planets Fade, Leo Roars, and the Equinox Arrives

  The night sky is shifting this week as Venus and Mercury take their leave from the evening sky—at least for now. Jupiter shines in Taurus, Mars lingers near Gemini’s twin stars, and Leo rises high, showcasing its dazzling triplet of galaxies.

  Speaking of cosmic wonders, a listener wrote in with a great question: Why do astronomers say “water ice” instead of just “ice”? We break it down, from Martian polar caps to the frozen landscapes of Europa and Enceladus.

  Then, we take a look at the Pleiades, a stunning open star cluster best viewed with binoculars, and the mighty Leo Triplet, a trio of galaxies locked in a cosmic dance. And don’t forget—March 20th marks the Spring Equinox!

  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. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails, or on Bluesky @startrails.bsky.social.

  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 ourRSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.